Scientific journals bring researchers' findings to their colleagues and other audiences, mediate advances in methodology, and facilitate understanding by dialogue. Differences of opinion can be talked through and mistakes clarified. In some fields, these debates take place rapidly, on the net or in weekly publications. Quarterly journals, such as this, discuss at a slower pace.

Welcome to the 26th volume of the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care (IJTAHC). The editorial office has moved from the Institute of Health Economics in Alberta, Canada, to the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in Finland and its Finnish Office for Health Technology Assessment (FINOHTA). It is exciting and challenging to take the helm of this journal. Knowing its history and cherishing its strengths, I wish to keep the HTA community engaged in making and using the journal as its scientific sounding board and its flagship.

One of the key tasks of governments and their advisory bodies is to decide what the nature and quality of the evidence should be which they use to support their policies. Evidence, as pointed out by Valerie Miké, is inherently incomplete, provisional, and subject to refutation (4). So when are we justified to presume sufficient value of a healthcare technology, warranting its public provision and funding?

In the theme section on information retrieval for health technology assessment (HTA), we are pleased to present a series of high-quality articles. The articles address various approaches to HTA searching and information management. Information retrieval and management is an integral part of the HTA review process. Those conducting searches must, therefore, understand the nature of the different domains of HTA, know what kind of information is needed for each domain, and know how to find it. These articles describe developments in HTA searching and other information-related activities.

Objectives: Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in England and Wales, accounting for approximately 13,000 deaths per year. Economic evaluations and national guidance have been produced for individual treatments for bowel cancer. However, it has been suggested that Primary Care Trusts develop program budgeting or equivalent methodology demonstrating a whole system approach to investment and disinvestment. The objective of this study was to provide a baseline framework for considering a whole system approach to estimate the direct costs of bowel cancer services provided by the National Health Service (NHS) in England.

Methods: A treatment pathway, developed in 2005, was used to construct a service pathway model to estimate the direct cost of bowel cancer services in England.

Results: The service pathway model estimated the direct cost of bowel cancer services to the NHS to be in excess of £1 billion in 2005. Thirty-five percent of the cost is attributable to the screening and testing of patients with suspected bowel cancer, subsequently diagnosed as cancer-free.

Conclusions: This study is believed to be the most comprehensive attempt to identify the direct cost of managing bowel cancer services in England. The approach adopted could be useful to assist local decision makers in identifying those aspects of the pathway that are most uncertain in terms of their cost-effectiveness and as a basis to explore the implications of re-allocated resources. Research recommendations include the need for detailed costs on surgical procedures, high-risk patients and the utilization of the methods used in this study across other cancers.

Objectives: The Secondary Prevention of Heart disEase in geneRal practicE (SPHERE) trial has recently reported. This study examines the cost-effectiveness of the SPHERE intervention in both healthcare systems on the island of Ireland.

Methods: Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis. A probabilistic model was developed to combine within-trial and beyond-trial impacts of treatment to estimate the lifetime costs and benefits of two secondary prevention strategies: Intervention - tailored practice and patient care plans; and Control - standardized usual care.

Results: The intervention strategy resulted in mean cost savings per patient of €512.77 (95 percent confidence interval [CI], −1086.46–91.98) and an increase in mean quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) per patient of 0.0051 (95 percent CI, −0.0101–0.0200), when compared with the control strategy. The probability of the intervention being cost-effective was 94 percent if decision makers are willing to pay €45,000 per additional QALY.

Conclusions: Decision makers in both settings must determine whether the level of evidence presented is sufficient to justify the adoption of the SPHERE intervention in clinical practice.

Objectives: There is evidence that breastmilk feeding reduces mortality and short and long-term morbidity among infants born too soon or too small. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of enhanced staff contact for mothers with infants in a neonatal unit with a birth weight of 500–2,500 g from the perspective of the UK National Health Service.

Methods: A decision-tree model linked clinical outcomes with long-term health outcomes. The study population was divided into three weight bands: 500–999 g, 1000–1,749 g, and 1,750–2,500 g. Clinical and resource use data were obtained from literature reviews. The measure of benefit was quality-adjusted life-years. Uncertainty was evaluated using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves and sensitivity analyses.

Results: The intervention was less costly and more effective than the comparator in the base–case analysis for each birth weight group. The results were quite robust to the sensitivity analyses performed.

Conclusions: This is the first economic evaluation in this complex field and offers a model to be developed in future research. The results provide preliminary indications that enhanced staff contact may be cost-effective. However, the limited evidence available, and the limited UK data in particular, suggest that further research is required to provide results with confidence.

Objectives: Despite the considerable and growing body of research about the clinical effectiveness of long-term psychoanalytic treatment, relatively little attention has been paid to economic evaluations, particularly with reference to the broader range of societal effects. In this cost-utility study, we examined the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of psychoanalysis versus psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Methods: Incremental costs and effects were estimated by means of cross-sectional measurements in a cohort design (psychoanalysis, n = 78; psychoanalytic psychotherapy, n = 104). Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated for each treatment strategy using the SF-6D. Total costs were calculated from a societal perspective (treatment costs plus other societal costs) and discounted at 4 percent.

Results: Psychoanalysis was more costly than psychoanalytic psychotherapy, but also more effective from a health-related quality of life perspective. The ICER—that is, the extra costs to gain one additional QALY by delivering psychoanalysis instead of psychoanalytic psychotherapy—was estimated at €52,384 per QALY gained.

Conclusions: Our findings show that the cost-utility ratio of psychoanalysis relative to psychoanalytic psychotherapy is within an acceptable range. More research is needed to find out whether cost-utility ratios vary with different types of patients. We also encourage cost-utility analyses comparing psychoanalytic treatment to other forms of (long-term) treatment.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess empirically the social and ethical risks associated with implantable radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices.

Methods: Qualitative research included observational studies in twenty-three U.S. hospitals that have implemented new patient identification systems and eighty semi-structured interviews about the social and ethical implications of new patient identification systems, including RFID implants.

Results: The study identified three primary social and ethical risks associated with RFID implants: (i) unfair prioritization of patients based on their participation in the system, (ii) diminished trust of patients by care providers, and (iii) endangerment of patients who misunderstand the capabilities of the systems.

Conclusions: RFID implants may aggravate inequalities in access to care without any clear health benefits. This research underscores the importance of critically evaluating new healthcare technologies from the perspective of both normative ethics and empirical ethics.

Objectives: Preterm birth contributes to a range of healthcare problems amongst infants surmounting to sizeable healthcare costs. Twin pregnancies are at particular risk of preterm birth. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of vaginal progesterone gel for the prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancies.

Methods: An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a randomized placebo controlled trial (the STOPPIT trial) of vaginal progesterone gel for the prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancies. Five hundred women were recruited from nine maternity hospitals in the United Kingdom. The outcomes of the economic evaluation were presented in terms of net benefit statistics, cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, generated using the nonparametric bootstrap method, and the expected value of perfect information.

Results: Mean health service costs between the period of randomization and discharge for mother and infant were £28,031 in the progesterone group and £25,972 in the placebo group, generating a mean nonsignificant cost difference of £2,059 (bootstrap mean cost difference £2,334; 95 percent confidence interval: −£5,023, £9,142; p = .33). The probability of progesterone being cost-effective was 20 percent at a willingness to pay threshold of £30,000 per preterm birth prevented. There is little economic justification for conducting further research into the use of vaginal progesterone gel in twin pregnancies for the prevention of preterm birth.

Conclusions: Further studies of preventive interventions for preterm birth more generally are required given the scale of the clinical and economic burden of this condition. These studies should be sufficiently powered for economic endpoints and extend beyond hospital discharge.

Objectives: Little is known about the costs and the effects of cardiovascular prevention programs targeted at medical and behavioral risk factors. The aim was to evaluate the cost-utility of a cardiovascular prevention program in a general sample of highly educated adults after 1 year of intervention.

Methods: The participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 208) and usual care conditions (n = 106). The intervention consisted of medical interventions and optional behavior-change interventions (e.g., a tailored Web site). Cost data were registered from a healthcare perspective, and questionnaires were used to determine effectiveness (e.g., quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs]). A cost-utility analysis and sensitivity analyses using bootstrapping were performed on the intermediate results.

Results: When adjusting for baseline utility differences, the incremental cost was €433 and the incremental effectiveness was 0.016 QALYs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was €26,910 per QALY.

Conclusions: The intervention was cost-effective compared with usual care in this sample of highly educated adults after 1 year of intervention. Increased participation would make this intervention highly cost-effective.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare efficacy, safety, and consumption of low-molecular-weight heparins with unfractionated heparin, and to develop a pharmacoeconomic decision model based on meta-analysis data.

Methods: Review and meta-analysis were performed of published randomized control trials directly comparing the safety and efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs)—that is, nadroparin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin—and unfractionated heparin (UFH) was performed by two reviewers using inclusion/exclusion criteria based on the research objectives. The value of fixed effects and random effects odds ratio (95 percent confidence interval) was calculated for each trial for the composite end point. Subsequently, a pharmacoeconomic decision modeling based on reference pricing methodology was implemented.

Results: In comparison to UFH, all LMWHs have independently demonstrated greater safety and effectiveness. None of the LMWHs demonstrated a significant superiority over each other; therefore, the group of LMWHs was interchangeable and suitable for cost minimization analysis and reference price implementation. Being the least expensive option, dalteparin single DDD price was set as the reference. Introduction of reference pricing for LMWHs would decrease the total expenditure on LMWHs of approximately 30 percent and would result in total savings of 1.830–2.070 thousand LTL in the country of Lithuania (approximately 0.8 million USD) per year.

Conclusions: The meta-analysis results of LMWHs could be used to support a policy on reference-based pricing and pharmacoeconomic decision modeling in healthcare institutions, which would allow a decrease in healthcare expenditures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) for allergen-specific subcutaneous injection immunotherapy (SCIT) in a cohort of respondents suffering from allergic-rhinoconjunctivitis (a-RC)/asthma, and to investigate how patients self-select to SCIT according to need.

Methods: A random sample of the general population was screened for a-RC/asthma and asked if they were willing to consider SCIT. They were asked to state their WTP for SCIT by way of a discrete choice question (DC-q), an open-ended WTP question (o-WTP-q), and questions relating to their sociodemographic background and the severity of their a-RC/asthma. The characteristics of respondents demanding SCIT were compared with the characteristics of respondents who have actually received SCIT to establish possible barriers to demand.

Results: Our results suggest that respondents do well in self-selecting themselves to SCIT on the basis of need according to disease burden measured in terms of a-RC classification, number of contacts with a general practitioner, number of sick days, and potential quality-adjusted life-year loss. Mean WTP for SCIT was estimated at €655 (median, €267) (o-WTP-q) and €903 (95 percent confidence limit, 348–1,459) (DC-q).

Conclusion: Characteristics of respondents, who consider SCIT and are willing to pay for SCIT, suggest that allergy sufferers select themselves appropriately according to need and not according to other characteristics, such as income or education. There is a significant discrepancy between those who hypothetically consider SCIT and those demanding SCIT in real life. This study suggests that there are barriers to entry related to age and education, but not to income.

Objectives: Our objective was to document the pattern of mobile phone usage by medical staff in a hospital setting, and to explore any perceived benefits (such as improved communications) associated with mobile phones.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Waterford Regional Hospital, Ireland, where bleep is the official system of communication. All non-consultant hospital doctors, of medical disciplines only, were asked to participate. The questionnaire was designed to explore the pattern and different aspects of mobile phone usage.

Results: At the time of study, there were sixty medical junior doctors, and the response rate was 100 percent. All participants used mobile phones while at work, and also for hospital-related work. For 98.3 percent the mobile phone was their main mode of communication while in the hospital. Sixty-two percent (n = 37) made 6–10 calls daily purely for work-related business, and this comprised of ≥80 percent of their daily usage of mobile phones. For 98 percent of participants, most phone calls were work-related. Regarding reasons for using mobile phones, all reported that using mobile phone is quicker for communication.

Conclusions: Mobile phone usage is very common among the medical personnel, and this is regarded as a more efficient means of communication for mobile staff than the hospital paging system.

Objectives: Stroke is the third largest cause of death and a major factor in permanent disability. Disparities in access to healthcare services exist due to geographical barriers and limited resources. Rural locations often lack the resources for adequate acute stroke care. Telestroke is intended to enable the transfer of knowledge of acute stroke management to areas with limited neurological services. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and treatment delivery reliability of telemedicine systems in acute stroke management.

Methods: A systematic review was undertaken.

Results: Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review. Telestroke services have been reported to lead to better functional health outcomes, including reduced mortality and dependency, compared with conventional care. Most studies report that systemic tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment increased in hospitals providing telestroke services, although patients were often transferred to a stroke center for continuing monitoring and surveillance. Patients and healthcare providers reported high levels of satisfaction. There was limited evidence regarding the impact on resource utilization and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions: Telemedicine systems can be safe, feasible, and acceptable in acute stroke management. Telestroke is associated with increased delivery of tPA. The lack of standardized measuring and reporting of resources and health outcomes hinder comparisons between telestroke networks and the determination of best practices. More research is needed to explore the clinical and economic impact of telemedicine technologies in acute stroke management, so as to support policy makers in making informed decisions.

Objectives: The method of choice for bariatric surgery remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (L-RYGB) versus laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) using quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).

Methods: We developed a Markov model of the quality of life and survival of L-RYGB and LAGB in obese patients. Using census data, we estimated the probability of dying and quality of life for each year of each cohort.

Results: For all cohorts, L-RYGB offers the highest advantage in QALYs compared with gastric banding. The youngest cohort showed the greatest discrepancy between the two surgical methods, with 7.8, 6.4, and 4.7 QALYs gained with L-RYGB over LAGB for the age groups 35, 45, and 55, respectively. Those with the highest presurgical body mass index (BMI) acquired the most advantage with L-RYGB, with 2.8, 6.4, and 9.6 QALYs gained with L-RYGB over LAGB for the BMI groups 40, 50, and 60. Males had a slightly higher advantage with L-RYGB, with 6.5 QALYs gained with L-RYGB over LAGB compared with 6.0 QALYs for females.

Conclusions: For the cohorts studied, L-RYGB is the preferred surgical treatment for obesity if the sole metric is QALYs. The young and extremely obese are core groups who will gain the most QALYs following L-RYGB.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine open-source electronic health record (EHR) software to determine their level of functionalities according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.

Methods: ISO standards were used as a guideline to determine and describe the reference architecture and functionalities of a standard electronic health record system as well the environmental context for which the software has been built. Twelve open-source EHR systems were selected and evaluated according to two-dimensional criteria based on ISO/TS 18308:2004 functional requirements and ISO/TR 20514:2005 context of the EHR system.

Results: Open EHR software programs mostly fulfill structural, procedural, evolutional, and medicolegal requirements at the minimal and full functionality levels. Communication, privacy, and security requirements are accomplished in less than 23 percent of the cases, mainly at minimal functional level. Ethical, cultural, and consumer requirements still need to be fulfilled by free and open-source EHR applications.

Conclusions: Most analyzed systems had several functional limitations. Nevertheless, especially for clinicians and decision makers in developing countries, open-source EHR systems are an option. The limited functionalities are likely to become requirements for further releases of open-source EHR systems.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine potential reasons why the use of breast conserving surgery (BCS) for breast cancer varies substantially between hospital teams in England, and in particular to examine whether colleague influence has a role in influencing BCS rates locally.

Methods: Routinely collected Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data relating to 420 surgical teams in England who performed more than ten breast cancer operations during the financial year 2006/07 were used to identify predictors of team BCS use. Team BCS rates (as a proportion of all types of breast excision surgery) were subject to a regression analysis that incorporated, as independent variables, a range of patient, organizational, and local demographic factors, as well as the BCS rate of colleagues working alongside them in the same hospitals(s).

Results: After adjusting for the effects of other variables, BCS use by colleagues working in the same hospital(s) was a significant predictor of a team's own BCS rate (standardized b = 0.224; p < .001), denoting a typical 3 percent increase in a team's BCS rate for every 10 percent increase in the BCS rate of colleagues.

Conclusions: The practice of colleagues seems to have a measurable influence upon a surgical team's BCS usage. Guidance from HTA organizations can set national standards about the use of new techniques and innovations, but dissemination can be either slowed down or accelerated by the influence of local colleagues. A strategy of disseminating guidance through professional networks or “local champions” could be a powerful avenue for change.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)-screening in addition to traditional risk factor screening in apparently healthy persons as a means of preventing coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results: The systematic review was performed according to internationally recognized methods. Seven studies on risk prediction, one clinical decision-analytic modeling study, and three decision-analytic cost-effectiveness studies were included. The adjusted relative risk of high hs-CRP-level ranged from 0.7 to 2.47 (p < .05 in four of seven studies). Adding hs-CRP to the prediction models increased the areas under the curve by 0.00 to 0.027. Based on the clinical decision analysis, both individuals with elevated hs-CRP-levels and those with hyperlipidemia have a similar gain in life expectancy following statin therapy. One high-quality economic modeling study suggests favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for persons with elevated hs-CRP and higher risk. However, many model parameters were based on limited evidence.

Conclusions: Adding hs-CRP to traditional risk factors improves risk prediction, but the clinical relevance and cost-effectiveness of this improvement remain unclear.

Objectives: Influenza (vernacular name, flu) is a viral infection that causes a high consumption of resources. Several studies have been carried out to provide an economic evaluation of the vaccination programs against influenza. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of evidence about the dynamic effects resulting from the reduction of the transmission power. This study considers the impact on contagiousness of alternative strategies against influenza in people aged 50–64 in Italy, France, Germany, and Spain.

Methods: By using the Influsim 2.0 dynamic model, we have determined the social benefits of different coverage levels in every country compared with the ones currently recommended. We have subsequently performed a Budget Impact Analysis to determine whether the currently recommended coverage results from an optimal budget allocation. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was also conducted.

Results: We found that in Germany, the optimal coverage level is 38.5 percent, in France 32.4 percent, in Italy 32.75 percent, and 28.3 percent in Spain. By extending the coverage level, social saving tends to increase up to 100 percent for France and Italy and up to 80 percent for Germany and Spain.

Conclusions: Decision makers should allocate the budget for vaccination against influenza consistently with the estimation of the optimal coverage level and with the dynamic effects resulting from the reduction of the transmission power.