In Austria research in HTA has been conducted since the 1990s. In the beginning, the Institute of Technology Assessment at the Austrian Academy of Sciences had a leadership role. Since the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for HTA was established in 2006, importance of HTA research has increased considerably. Research in HTA aims at supporting an adequate and efficient use of health care resources. Its objectives are providing independent information for decision makers, supporting the health care system in improving its structures, as well as improving population health in Austria. For legitimizing further research resources, for prioritizing future HTA research and guaranteeing its value, HTA research itself needs to undergo evaluation.

On the basis of the existing framework (part 1), the empirical analysis was conducted in part 2 of the project. The impact regarding the categories awareness, acceptance, policy process, decision making, practice, final outcomes and "enlightenment" was analyzed using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Due to the different methods employed, such as questionnaires, discourse analysis, economic analysis, interviews and download analysis, it was possible to detect both the impact within the different levels of the health system and the various effects arising from HTA research.

The impact of HTA can be detected in all levels of the health care system. Research results are mainly used for decisions at the meso- (hospital associations) and microlevel (government) of the health care system. A multi-dimensional impact of HTA within all categories can be confirmed, which is still expandable.