5. Patient involvement in different phases of HTA

Appraisals are based on synthesising all data included in the HTA and should be consistent with the HTA framework.

Documenting the arguments for the appraisal, advantages and disadvantages, is important irrespective of the outcome. This will provide the best foundation for patients to keep advocating and justifying either support of the appraisal - or the opposite.

When the appraisal is made publicly available patients or patient groups can:

• Check that their local HTA body has a mechanism to review and to give feedback on recommendations (or ask for one) to ensure recommendation procedures are accountable and fair.
• If a review and feedback mechanism exists, patients and patient groups can review and provide feedback to recommendations to ensure patient evidence and information was considered, consistent with data and information on values provided.
• Communicate summaries of recommendations that can be understood by lay persons.