Domain 1 : the technology and its value

A clear description of the technology.

• What is the purpose of the technology?
• What is the stage of development of the technology?
• Is the technology already in use?
• In what context and to what extent is it in use?
• What geographical variations are there in its use?

A description of the health condition (if applicable).

• What are the symptoms of the health condition?
• What impact does the health condition have on the service user?
• What is the impact of the health condition for the health and care sector?
  
  

A description of the target population.

• What is the size of the target population? This could be a description of the prevalence and incidence of the relevant health problem, or experts’ estimates if this is not available.
• Are there populations that are disproportionately affected by the health condition?
• Why would a person want to use the health technology?
• Are there any groups of people who cannot or should not use the health technology?

What are the current technologies (comparators) within the existing pathway of care?

• Describe them all, if there is more than one.
• Describe the existing pathway(s).
• It can be helpful to provide a flow chart or diagram.

What if there is no existing pathway of care or system processes?

• Describe the potential impact of introducing the health technology on existing healthcare systems.

A description of the proposed pathway.

• Will the technology replace an existing technology or affect current practice?
• Will the technology complement current practice or be in addition to current practice?
• At what stage of the care pathway will the technology be used?
  • For example, will it be used in primary care and/or secondary care?

Changes to current pathways or practice.

• What changes would need to be made to infrastructure, service provision and workforce to adopt the technology?
• What changes will be needed to operate and maintain the proposed pathway or process using the technology
• Will there be a need for training and education for health and care professionals or the target population
• What are the barriers and enablers to the use of the technology?

• The anticipated health benefits and impact on other outcomes (such as system efficiency, care outcomes, or structural and procedural effects) associated with the new technology.
• The costs and resource use associated with current practice.
• The expected costs and resource use associated with the new technology.

• Does the technology address a current priority area for the health and care in Scotland?
  • For example, does it fit with national strategy?
• What is the evidence for the clinical need for this technology?
• Is there evidence of the support and interest for this intervention in the health and care community?
• Does the technology fix a problem applicable to a small number of health boards, or is it applicable to all boards?