We conducted health technology assessments (HTAs) of the interventions used between 2012 and 2014 to improve the treatment of homeless people with pulmonary tuberculosis in the Federal District of Brazil. The HTA, which was not ordered by policymakers, was based on the evidence-based national theoretical model compared with local interventions indicated in focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and secondary data produced by the Health Secretariat. The results demonstrated that the implementation of the interventions was unsatisfactory. Our objective was to present the feedback process for policymakers and the Health Secretariat, particularly its challenges.

The feedback was categorized as: (i) an executive abstract with key messages (i.e. underreporting of cases in the surveillance system, lack of primary care, and underestimation of the health problem) reported to policymakers involved in the surveillance and healthcare systems; and (ii) oral presentations in eight meetings organized by the research group and local policymakers.

Between 2016 and 2017 we conducted eight feedback meetings. All of the professionals (n = 8) involved in the Tuberculosis Surveillance and Control Program were present in at least one of the meetings, but healthcare professionals and the Secretary of Health did not participate. The barriers presented by the professionals were: (i) lack of material resources (i.e. cars and gas, phones, diagnostic tests, medications); (ii) lack of human resources (i.e. suboptimal professional staff); and (iii) feeling insecure when performing extramural activities due to the potentially unsafe work environment.

Gathering feedback on a HTA that was not ordered by policy makers can be a challenge. Mainly we demonstrated a negative result on research done in a vulnerable population with a neglected disease, in this case tuberculosis. However, this provided an opportunity for professionals in the surveillance system to discuss the challenges of implementing tuberculosis control among the homeless population.