Onze anos de Conitec: avanços e desafios do envolvimento de pacientes e do público no processo de avaliação de tecnologias em saúde no Brasil

Abstract

Introduction: Patient and public involvement (PPI) is a core element of the health technology assessment (HTA) process. Since its creation in 2011, the National Committee for Health Technology Incorporation (Conitec) has promoted initiatives to include stakeholders in HTA for the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). This work aimed to present a report on the advances and challenges related to PPI in 11 years of Conitec. Methods: A retrospective analysis of PPI actions carried out at Conitec was conducted, based on an analysis of minutes and records of meetings and discussions held internally and documents published on Conitec´s website. Results: Events and meetings were held over the years with different actors interested in the HTA process. Since 2015, a plain-language version of the technical report has been made available to the public during public consultations for each HTA topic. Recently, a register of patients, specialists, and SUS managers was created to form a database and establish a network with the stakeholders. Since 2020, SUS users have been allocated time to speak at Conitec´s meetings. Qualitative analysis of public consultation documents started in 2021 and a pilot qualitative evidence synthesis was carried out in 2022. These initiatives, although not directly focused on PPI, increase the consideration of the perspectives of patients, family members, and caregivers in the HTA process. Conclusions: PPI actions implemented at Conitec have significantly promoted inclusiveness and exchanges among stakeholders, contributing to a greater transparency regarding Conitec’s actions. Nonetheless, we have important challenges on our horizon, such as strengthening connections with primary healthcare managers and professionals and social movements. It is also strategic to expand the technical and scientific discussion on PPI and qualitative approaches with HTA researchers and the voting members of Conitec. Finally, another aim is to improve knowledge of HTA and public health policy among law professionals and the pharmaceutical industry in Brazil. histological type, and lymph node section, segmentectomy had similar OS (HR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.37; p=0.2) and LCSS (HR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.36; p=0.8). Conclusions: Segmentectomy can be used to treat patients with T1b stage NSCLC. Patients who undergo segmentectomy have survival outcomes that are the same as those of patients who received lobectomy. This evidence-based observation provides a reference for surgical choice in the treatment of patients with T1b stage NSCLC, which should be further confirmed through RCTs.