OBJECTIVES: To conduct a scoping review to better understand the evidence on the use of innovation and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods for public health policy formulation..

METHODS: We conducted a thorough search in PubMed, Scopus, and WoS to locate original articles focusing on the use and application of MCDA in the formulation of public health policy related to health innovation. Our search strategies were designed to be comprehensive, without any limitations on dates or languages, to ensure broad coverage. We explored various sources to access a wide range of existing studies and did not restrict our search to specific key journals. Articles discussing innovation concepts and their applications to health and public health policy were considered for inclusion.

RESULTS: Following the removal of duplicates, 26,619 unique records were identified in the search. After reviewing titles and abstracts, 52 records underwent full-text assessment, out of which 18 were included for analysis. An analysis of these themes and their interrelationships was conducted. MCDA has been utilized to a limited extent to assist decision-makers in making decisions based on multiple, sometimes conflicting, criteria, particularly those related to innovation. We identified various approaches used in MCDA and examined how they facilitated the generation of information that could be used by decision-makers to include health innovation in formulating public health policies.

CONCLUSIONS: The unique nature of innovation within the health sector presents challenges that impede its widespread adoption and implementation. It is important to employ straightforward evaluation models to identify and prioritize health innovations that can address health issues, especially with the increasing complexity of health risks both from historical challenges and recent emergent threats. MCDA could be helpful for achieving these goals