Economic evaluation of integrated new technologies for health and social care: Suggestions for policy makers, users and evaluators.

Wildman, J., McMeekin, P., Grieve, E. and Briggs, A. (2016) Economic evaluation of integrated new technologies for health and social care: Suggestions for policy makers, users and evaluators. Social Science and Medicine, 169, pp. 141-148. (doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.09.033) (PMID:27721138)

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Abstract

With an ageing population there is a move towards the use of assisted living technologies (ALTs) to provide social care and health care services, and to improve service processes. These technologies are at the forefront of the integration of health and social care. However, economic evaluations of ALTs, and indeed economic evaluations of any interventions providing both health benefits and benefits beyond health are complex. This paper considers the challenges faced by evaluators and presents a method of economic evaluation for use with interventions where traditional methods may not be suitable for informing funders and decision makers. We propose a method, combining economic evaluation techniques, that can accommodate health outcomes and outcomes beyond health through the use of a common numeraire. Such economic evaluations can benefit both the public and private sector, firstly by ensuring the efficient allocation of resources. And secondly, by providing information for individuals who, in the market for ALTs, face consumption decisions that are infrequent and for which there may be no other sources of information. We consider these issues in the welfarist, extra-welfarist and capabilities frameworks, which we link to attributes in an individual production model. This approach allows for the valuation of the health component of any such intervention and the valuation of key social care attributes and processes. Finally, we present a set of considerations for evaluators highlighting the key issues that need to be considered in this type of economic evaluation.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Grieve, Dr Eleanor and Briggs, Professor Andrew
Authors: Wildman, J., McMeekin, P., Grieve, E., and Briggs, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
Journal Name:Social Science and Medicine
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0277-9536
ISSN (Online):0277-9536
Published Online:24 September 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Social Science and Medicine 169:141-148
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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