HTA Projects

The Health Technology Assessment program carries out assessments on a number of topics to support and inform effective, evidence-based decisions about health policy and purchasing, service management, and clinical practice. For current and upcoming projects, search our database by keyword, by category, and by publication type.

For more information on any HTA project, please contact CADTH at htainfo@cadth.ca


  1. Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

    Project Number:H0482
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:March 2010
    Project Status Details:Peer Review and Report Approval

    This health technology assessment project compares the effectiveness of adding pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to pharmacological therapy for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PR is a multidisciplinary program of care that involves physical exercise and disease education, as well as nutritional, psychological, and behavioural interventions. Conventional treatment for COPD in Canada includes inhaled bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, supplemental inhaled oxygen, and surgery. This assessment includes a review of the clinical evidence for PR as a whole, and its specific interventions, an economic evaluation, a health services impact analysis, and an analysis of current clinical practice guidelines.

  2. Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Tests for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MSRA) in Hospitalized Patients

    Project Number:H0484
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:March 2010
    Project Status Details:Editing and Layout

    This health technology assessment evaluates the accuracy and effectiveness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in identifying infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospital patients. PCR testing is a technique that amplifies a short sequence of DNA using enzymatic replication. PCR can be done in a few hours, compared with 24 to 72 hours for conventional testing, where bacteria are grown in culture. The assessment compares the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of PCR testing with conventional testing and with no testing. It also examines current clinical practice guidelines, and the relevant planning issues and ethical issues faced if PCR testing is adopted.

  3. Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity

    Project Number:H0485
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:April 2010
    Project Status Details:Peer Review and Report Approval

    This health technology assessment project examines three types of surgical options for treating severe obesity, called bariatric surgery, and what role these play in the treatment of obesity when combined with diet, increased physical activity, behaviour changes, and medications. The three options involve bypassing part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract so less food is absorbed; decreasing the size of the stomach so less food is eaten; or a combination of the two. This assessment compares the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the three types of bariatric surgery with the other treatments for obesity. It will also examine current clinical practice guidelines and recognized “best practices” for delivering service to people who are obese.

  4. Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

    Project Number:H0491
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:Summer 2010
    Project Status Details:Evidence Retrieval and Analysis

    This project examines different treatment options for a common abnormal heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation (AF). Normally, AF is treated with drugs to stop or control the unusual rhythm of the heart, but there are techniques that can be used to access and destroy the part of the heart causing the abnormal rhythm. These are referred to as ablation therapies and can be performed through minimally invasive approaches, such as a catheter in a leg vein. Ablation therapy for AF can offer some advantages over treatment with drugs, but it can also lead to complications. This assessment will look at the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of ablation therapies and compare them to other treatments for AF. The budget impact of providing ablation therapy for patients with AF and an analysis planning issues and current clinical practice guidelines will also be conducted.

  5. Surgical Robotics for Urology, Gynaecology, Nephrology and Cardiac Procedures

    Project Number:H0496
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:to be confirmed
    Project Status Details:Evidence Retrieval and Analysis

    A few Canadian hospitals have developed surgical robotics programs using technology such as the Da Vinci® Surgical System, to help surgeons perform surgery. This technology is however associated with significant capital and operating costs. Given the relatively recent introduction of surgical robotic systems for certain programs of care [prostatectomy, hysterectomy, nephrectomy and cardiac (coronary artery bypass graft and mitral valve repair) procedures], as well as costs related to the acquisition and operation of this technology, an assessment of the clinical, economic, and potential health services impact of surgical robotic systems is needed to inform rational funding decisions in Canada.

  6. Self-directed Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Adult Patients with Clinically Diagnosed Depression: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness, and Guidelines

    Project Number:M0014
    Research Type:Peer-Reviewed Summary with Critical Appraisal
    Estimated Publication Date:April 2010
    Project Status Details:Report Writing

    A summary of systematically selected evidence with a critical appraisal and policy implications that is peer-reviewed by at least two subject experts.

  7. Positron Emission Tomography for Cardiovascular Disease: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness

    Project Number:M0015
    Research Type:Peer-Reviewed Summary with Critical Appraisal
    Estimated Publication Date:Spring 2010
    Project Status Details:Report Writing

    A summary of systematically selected evidence with a critical appraisal and policy implications that is peer-reviewed by at least two subject experts.

  8. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Difficult Wound Healing, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, and Smoke Inhalation: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness

    Project Number:M0016
    Research Type:Peer-Reviewed Summary with Critical Appraisal
    Estimated Publication Date:Summer 2010
    Project Status Details:Report Writing

    A summary of systematically selected evidence with a critical appraisal and policy implications that is peer-reviewed by at least two subject experts.