24
Views
18
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original

Assessing Cost-Effectiveness – Mental Health: introduction to the study and methods

, , , , , , & show all
Pages 569-578 | Received 29 Aug 2003, Accepted 22 Apr 2004, Published online: 07 Aug 2009
 

Abstract

Objective: The Assessing Cost-Effectiveness – Mental Health (ACE–MH) study aims to assess from a health sector perspective, whether there are options for change that could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia's current mental health services by directing available resources toward ‘best practice’ cost-effective services.

Method: The use of standardized evaluation methods addresses the reservations expressed by many economists about the simplistic use of League Tables based on economic studies confounded by differences in methods, context and setting. The costeffectiveness ratio for each intervention is calculated using economic and epidemiological data. This includes systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials for efficacy, the Australian Surveys of Mental Health and Wellbeing for current practice and a combination of trials and longitudinal studies for adherence. The cost-effectiveness ratios are presented as cost (A$) per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) saved with a 95% uncertainty interval based on Monte Carlo simulation modelling. An assessment of interventions on ‘second filter’ criteria (‘equity’, ‘strength of evidence’, ‘feasibility’ and ‘acceptability to stakeholders’) allows broader concepts of ‘benefit’ to be taken into account, as well as factors that might influence policy judgements in addition to cost-effectiveness ratios.

Conclusions: The main limitation of the study is in the translation of the effect size from trials into a change in the DALY disability weight, which required the use of newly developed methods. While comparisons within disorders are valid, comparisons across disorders should be made with caution. A series of articles is planned to present the results.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

There are no offers available at the current time.

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.