Patients have knowledge, perspectives and experiences that are unique and can make an essential contribution to Health Technology Assessment (HTA). However, in order for their participation to be effective, they need to be able to understand how HTA reports are generated and the decision-making processes that they inform. The aim is to describe the development and virtualization of training materials for patients, as well as to their implementation in a pilot study.

A working group from Spanish Network of Agencies for Assessing National Health System Technologies and Performance (RedETS) agencies was created to develop educational materials in collaboration with patients. The content was based on international initiatives and feedback from the working group. The project was initiated in November 2020. The team consisted of HTA researchers, technicians with experience in training and virtualization and patients. The final version was obtained after an iterative process and refinement of the content and design.

The materials were published in complete and summary versions, and they were translated into Catalan, Basque and Galician. The online course was designed in an e-learning platform (Moodle) with the aim of being implemented by each of the agencies. The materials include relevant and summarized information on HTA processes, current framework at national and European level, and the role of patients in HTA. Health research and the importance of qualitative and quantitative methods are also addressed. The course also includes a module of practical aspects of patient and citizen participation for achieving an effective contribution to HTA. The course is being piloted with patients in different regions in Spain. The objective of the pilot is to evaluate the usefulness and satisfaction with the course, and it has been designed with the purpose of incorporating the pertinent modifications in the course.

The online training course is intended to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge related to the processes and tools of HTA for patients, as well as to inform them in what phases and in what way they can participate. The pilot will provide relevant information on its use in practice. It is expected that the course will favor capacity building and patient involvement.