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Economic Evaluation of Diagnostic Technology: Methodological Challenges and Viable Solutions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Franco Sassi ,
Martin McKee  and
Jennifer A. Roberts
Franco Sassi
Affiliation:
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Martin McKee
Affiliation:
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Jennifer A. Roberts
Affiliation:
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
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Abstract

The principles of economic evaluation are increasingly accepted by clinicians and policy makers as evidence from a significant number of studies becomes available to support their decisions. However, methods of assessment still need to be improved. This paper reports a comprehensive review of methodological challenges in the economic evaluation of diagnostic technology, where such challenges are more evident. This review formed the basis for a prioritized research agenda, with four main areas: modeling techniques for dealing with complexity; measures of the opportunity cost of shared resources; techniques for eliciting decision makers' utility functions for diagnostic tests; and ways of assessing the robustness of decisions. A number of methodoligical solutions are proposed, aimed at capturing elements and relationships that are usually neglected and fully recognizing the presence of an inductive cognitive component in decision-making processes.

Type
General Essays
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , Fall 1997 , pp. 613 - 630
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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