Shalev C, Tal O, Kaplan G, Bin-Nun G, Abulafia A, Guttman N, Lev B; Health Technology Assessment International. Meeting (1st : 2004 : Krakow, Poland).

Proc One HTA Health Technol Assess Int Meet 1st 2004 Krakow Pol. 2004; 1: 270.

Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, ICTAHC The Gertner Institute, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.

BACKGROUND: As in other countries, Israel's healthcare system faces prioritization choices regarding public funding of healthcare services in general and medical technologies in particular. Public involvement in this decision-making process will enhance social, ethical and moral values. OBJECTIVES: To develop and implement a consultation method that involves members of diverse population groups in a deliberative process and elicits informed and considered opinion regarding health policy issues, including difficult rationing choices. METHOD: Between February and July 2003, approximately 130 individuals met in six regional groups (parliament). These participants were a random sample of the Israeli population. Each regional parliament met to discuss 4 dilemmas associated with equality in health services and priorities for determining technologies to receive public funding. Information resources and professional experts accompanied the process. Summaries and recommendations of the Health Parliament were presented to the Minister of Health and senior healthcare decision-makers. RESULTS: The enlisted participants took an active part in the complete process conducting constructive discussions on the issues presented. Most members of the Health Parliament expressed their interest in continuing this process, despite the time and effort involved. CONCLUSION: The recruitment of citizens to participate in public deliberation on complex, value-laden dilemmas can yield important recommendations for decision makers and expose the public to their intricacy. This process has been enlightening in a number of facets: methods for recruiting participants, measures for conveying information, presentation of articulate ethical prioritization dilemmas, and formulating group summaries.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Attitude to Health
• Choice Behavior
• Decision Making
• Decision Making, Organizational
• Delivery of Health Care
• Health Care Rationing
• Health Planning Guidelines
• Health Policy
• Health Priorities
• Health Services Needs and Demand
• Israel
• Technology, Medical
• methods
• hsrmtgs

UI: 103140899

From Meeting Abstracts