Health Technology Assessment and Horizon Scanning: A Review

Öz

Concerns and uncertainties about the future have always posed challenges for societies. Identifying potential risks and taking preventive measures constitute key responsibilities for decision-makers. Horizon Scanning Systems are defined as tools that provide scientific foresight and guidance for policymakers. These systems are utilized not only in health but also in education, agriculture, and other sectors through technological assessment. Globally, horizon scanning has attracted particular attention in oncology, public health, and medical sciences more broadly. Designed to generate scientific insights into uncertainties and to guide preventive strategies, these systems play a critical role in the development of new technologies, especially in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Horizon scanning has also been increasingly applied in stem cell research, occupying a notable place in literature. This study seeks to explore how horizon scanning systems, as information providers and analyzers, have been employed in the literature. A review was conducted, focusing on the past 25 years, during a period of rapid technological and scholarly advancement. In addition to global activities, studies carried out in Türkiye were also examined. Findings indicate that institutionalized and concrete efforts are particularly concentrated in the European region. Regarding the research question on Türkiye, no web-based studies specifically addressing the national context were identified. While institutional sources show that the topic has been recognized in Türkiye, a systematic structure has not yet been established. Official sources reveal an expressed interest in the subject; however, concrete steps are still required.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Horizon Scanning
• Health İnformation Systems
• Health Management

Sağlık Teknolojisi Değerlendirmesi ve Ufuk Taraması: Bir Derleme

Öz

Geleceğe ilişkin kaygılar ve belirsizlikler, tarih boyunca toplumlar için önemli zorluklar oluşturmuştur. Potansiyel risklerin önceden belirlenmesi ve bunlara yönelik önleyici stratejilerin geliştirilmesi, karar vericilerin temel sorumlulukları arasında yer almaktadır. Ufuk Tarama Sistemleri, politika yapıcılar için bilimsel öngörü sağlayan ve karar alma süreçlerine yön veren araçlar olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Bu sistemler, yalnızca sağlık alanında değil; eğitim, tarım ve diğer sektörlerde de teknolojik gelişmelerin değerlendirilmesinde kullanılmaktadır. Küresel ölçekte ufuk tarama çalışmalarının özellikle onkoloji, halk sağlığı ve genel tıp bilimlerinde yoğunlaştığı görülmektedir. Belirsizliklere ilişkin bilimsel içgörü üretmek ve önleyici stratejilere rehberlik etmek amacıyla tasarlanan bu sistemler, özellikle ilaçlar ve tıbbi cihazlar gibi yeni sağlık teknolojilerinin geliştirilmesinde kritik bir rol üstlenmektedir. Ayrıca, ufuk tarama uygulamalarının kök hücre araştırmalarında da giderek artan bir şekilde kullanıldığı ve literatürde kayda değer bir yer edindiği dikkat çekmektedir. Bu çalışma, ufuk tarama sistemlerinin literatürde hangi biçimlerde kullanıldığını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, son 25 yılı kapsayan ve teknolojik ilerlemenin hız kazandığı dönemi içeren bir derleme gerçekleştirilmiştir. Küresel çalışmaların yanı sıra Türkiye’deki araştırmalar da analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, kurumsallaşmış ve somut girişimlerin özellikle Avrupa bölgesinde yoğunlaştığını göstermektedir. Türkiye bağlamında ise, ulusal ölçekte odaklanan web tabanlı bir çalışmaya rastlanmamıştır. Resmî kaynaklar, konunun Türkiye’de fark edildiğini ortaya koymakta; ancak henüz sistematik bir yapı oluşturulmadığını ve somut adımların atılması gerektiğini göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sağlık Teknolojileri
• Ufuk Tarama
• Sağlık Bilgi sistemleri,
• Sağlık Yönetimi

Kaynakça

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