[Mathematical Tools for Prioritizing Health Technologies: Focus on Implementing Multicriteria Decision Analysis Models].

Abstract

MCDA (Multicriteria Decision Analysis methods) allow for a comprehensive assessment of healthcare technologies based on diverse criteria. The study analyzes the main MCDA methods and the specifics of their application for prioritizing medical technologies. The materials are obtained from the PubMed database and the Google system. A generalized MCDA algorithm is presented, and frequently used models are highlighted: the weighted sum method (WSM), the theory of multicriteria utility (MAUT), and the analytical hierarchical process (AHP). The MCDA support software tools are considered. Special attention is paid to promising hybrid methods (AHP-TOPSIS) and models for dealing with uncertainties (fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS). Effective implementation of MCDA requires the development of medical informatics, but the key role belongs to the human factor - experts who determine the analysis strategy, the quality of the source data and the interpretation of the results. Automated systems and artificial intelligence need mandatory monitoring and validation by specialists when used for management decisions in healthcare.