To develop a context-specific health technology assessment (HTA) framework tailored to the healthcare needs and system of Iran, to improve evidence-based decision-making, optimise resource allocation and support progress towards universal health coverage.

A mixed-methods Delphi consensus study conducted using a three-phase, sequential approach: document review, qualitative focus group discussions and Delphi consensus rounds. The study reporting follows the Accurate Consensus Reporting Document guideline to ensure transparent reporting of consensus methods.

A national-level study conducted in Iran’s healthcare system between January 2023 and March 2024, including perspectives from public and academic institutions, policy bodies and patient organisations.

The study involved 18 purposively selected stakeholders in three focus group discussions, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers and patient representatives. Subsequently, 20 HTA experts participated in three iterative Delphi rounds to refine and reach consensus on the framework components.

Identification of core components and operational steps required to develop and implement a comprehensive HTA framework in Iran.

The final HTA framework includes nine core components: (1) establishing a national HTA body; (2) engaging stakeholders; (3) building capacity through training and research; (4) developing standard HTA methodologies; (5) implementing prioritisation and evaluation processes; (6) ensuring sustainable funding; (7) enhancing transparency and accountability; (8) promoting continuous improvement and (9) fostering innovation. Detailed operational steps and micro-activities were developed for each component. The framework achieved an 84% consensus among Delphi panellists, indicating strong agreement on its content and applicability.

This tailored HTA framework provides a structured roadmap to institutionalise evidence-based decision-making in Iran’s healthcare system. Its implementation can strengthen the efficiency, equity and sustainability of healthcare planning and policy. Pilot testing is recommended to assess feasibility and scalability, with potential to serve as a model for other low-income and middle-income countries.

There are estimated to be 3.4 million patients in the UK living after a diagnosis of cancer. We know very little about their quality of life or healthcare usage. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are tools which help to translate a patient’s quality of life into measurable categories, but how to do this at scale remains underexplored. The study employs a randomised design to assess different engagement strategies for optimising participation, data linkage and questionnaire completion in Northwest London and then nationally, with appropriate research approvals.

We have designed and implemented an online, patient-completed, randomised observational trial. We will pilot it in Northwest London before national roll-out, using initially the General Practice (GP) record of a cancer diagnosis and then exploring the use of social media. The primary objective is to explore the feasibility of recruiting participants via self-identification or contact from the primary care research network and obtaining consent to link participants’ PROMs responses to their cancer registry records. Data collection occurs through a secure platform, with participants directly responsible for data entry. There is no formal target sample size because this is a feasibility study, and we want to explore how many patients we can recruit. Analyses will be conducted using descriptive statistics, repeated measures multilevel modelling and machine learning techniques. If a substantial difference in responses between randomisation arms is detected, ineffective strategies will be removed. If no clear difference is observed, recruitment will continue with periodic reviews based on response rates and data completeness.

The Study Coordination Centre has obtained approval from the London—Surrey Research Ethics Committee and Health Research Authority. We will publish and disseminate the results in local, national and international meetings, in peer-reviewed journals, on social media and on websites.

It has been registered under ‘Investigating Digital Outcomes for Cancer Survivors in the Community’ (NCT06095024).

NCT06095024: Investigating Digital Outcomes for Cancer Survivors in the Community.

To assess the implementation feasibility and acceptability of a structured digital psychosocial communication tool (DIALOG+) to strengthen the quality of person-centric care in psychiatric settings within Pakistan and India.

A hybrid inductive and thematic qualitative analysis using individual interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).

Two psychiatric hospitals (Karwan-e-Hayat and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre) in Karachi, Pakistan and one psychiatric care organisation (Schizophrenia Research Foundation) in Chennai, India

Interviews were conducted with 8 mental health clinicians and 40 patients who completed the DIALOG+ pilot as well as wider stakeholders, that is, 12 mental health clinical providers, 15 caregivers of people with psychosis and 13 mental health experts.

A technology-assisted communication tool (DIALOG+) to structure routine meetings and inform care planning, consisting of monthly sessions over a period of 3 months. The intervention comprises a self-reported assessment of patient satisfaction and quality of life on eight holistic life domains and three treatment domains, followed by a four-step solution-focused approach to address the concerns raised in chosen domains for help.

Key insights for the implementation feasibility and acceptability of DIALOG+ were assessed qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis of 22 IDIs and 8 FGDs with 54 individuals.

Clinicians and patients ascribed value to the efficiency and structure that DIALOG+ introduced to consultations but agreed it was challenging to adopt in busy outpatient settings. Appointment systems and selective criteria for who is offered DIALOG+ were recommended to better manage workload. Caregiver involvement in DIALOG+ delivery was strongly emphasised by family members, along with pictorial representation and relevant life domains by patients to enhance the acceptability of the DIALOG+ approach.

Findings highlight that the feasibility of implementing DIALOG+ in psychiatric care is closely tied to strategies that address clinician workload. Promoting institutional ownership in strengthening resource allocation is essential to reduce the burden on mental health professionals in order to enable them to provide more patient-centric and holistic care for people with psychosis. Further research is required to explore the appropriateness of including caregivers in DIALOG+ delivery to adapt to communal cultural attitudes in South Asia.