In recent years, most countries have struggled to meet the annual demand for increases in healthcare resources. This scenario poses a significant challenge for those who pay for or manage healthcare services, namely the clinicians and hospital managers Thus, value-based implementation for resource allocation may include disinvestment initiatives to maximize benefits to patients and the population. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of incorporating a systematic and explicit value assessment in hospital-based decision-making for the prioritization of resource allocation.

An evidence-informed stakeholder engagement workshop was held with approximately 50 hospital directors and utilized a scenario analysis of making decisions for hospital procurement. The key question discussed was what should be considered when making decisions about resource allocation and disinvestment in health services at the hospital level. The participants were divided into five groups with a mix of multilevel institutional categories. Each group was given a similar resource allocation scenario, a wish list, and a shift list. The participants were involved in a facilitated discussion on the process, criteria for prioritization, and the justification of their final selections. Subsequently, a deliberative discussion was held at the end of the workshop to explore the feasibility of this prioritization method.

Prioritization criteria that were identified and unanimously agreed upon included effectiveness, safety, burden of disease, suitability of services, human resources and facilities, and economic considerations. The deliberative discussion also highlighted the impact of the disinvestment of services, managing the expectation of patients and clinicians, and monitoring and audit mechanisms.

The value of disinvestment should not compromise access to services and quality of care. There is a huge potential for implementing a systematic and explicit value assessment in hospital-based decision-making for prioritization of resource allocation. Further refinement of the process and mitigation of challenges will enable its use.