Which are the best information sources for identifying emerging health care technologies? An international Delphi survey

The purpose of this survey was to assess potential information sources for identifying new health care technologies. A three-round Delphi study was co nducted, involving 38 selected experts who suggested and assessed potential sources by applying agreed criteria. Twenty-six potential information sour ces were considered. Timeliness, time efficiency, and sensitivity were impo rtant criteria in determining which were the most important sources. The ei ght recommended sources were: pharmaceutical journals, pharmaceutical and b iotechnology companies, specialist medical journals, key medical journals, medical engineering companies, private health care providers, newsletters a nd bulletins from other health technology assessment agencies, and groups o f expert health professionals. There is a need to use a combination of sour ces because the most useful sources will vary according to the type of tech nology under consideration.