Abstract
Results of cost effectiveness analyses (CEA) studies are most useful for decision makers if they face only one constraint: the health care budget. However, in practice, decision makers wishing to use the results of CEA studies may face multiple resource constraints relating to, for instance, constraints in health care inputs such as a shortage of skilled labour. The presence of multiple resource constraints influences the decision rules of CEA and limits the usefulness of traditional CEA studies for decision makers. The goal of this paper is to illustrate how results of CEA can be interpreted and used in case a decision maker faces a health care input constraint. We set up a theoretical model describing the optimal allocation of the health care budget in the presence of a health care input constraint. Insights derived from that model were used to analyse a stylized example based on a decision about a surgical robot as well as a published cost effectiveness study on eye care services in Zambia. Our theoretical model shows that applying default decision rules in the presence of a health care input constraint leads to suboptimal decisions but that there are ways of preserving the traditional decision rules of CEA by reweighing different cost categories. The examples illustrate how such adjustments can be made, and makes clear that optimal decisions depend crucially on such adjustments. We conclude that it is possible to use the results of cost effectiveness studies in the presence of health care input constraints if results are properly adjusted.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 59-64 |
Journal | Social Science and Medicine |
Volume | 200 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2018 |
Keywords
- cost-effectiveness analysis
- human resource constraints
- decision rules
- health care input constraints
- opportunity costs
- eye-care services
- LMIC
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Health care input constraints and cost effectiveness analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
Impacts
-
Improved patient outcomes through evidence-based decisions by Scottish and global health organisations
Morton, A. (Main contact), van der Meer, R. (Participant), Megiddo, I. (Participant) & Howick, S. (Participant)
Impact: Impact - for External Portal › Health and welfare - new products, guidelines and services
File