Economic Evaluation seminar - Challenges for the Economic Evaluation of Diagnostic Technologies
Event details
Abstract:
Background: Diagnostic technologies present unique and complex challenges for economic evaluation. Understanding these limitations is crucial for fair and robust assessments. This project aimed to identify, categorise, and validate methodological and other challenges for the economic evaluation of diagnostic technologies based on a review of the published literature and consultation with experts in the field.
Methods: A pragmatic literature review was conducted to identify economic evaluations and methodological studies on diagnostics mentioning challenges. Challenges were extracted, consolidated, and classified. This list and a draft taxonomy were then validated and refined through feedback from 13 international experts from academia, industry, and HTA bodies.
Results: The literature review identified 29 relevant studies. A total of 137 challenge descriptions were extracted and after expert consultation consolidated into 42 distinct challenges. A taxonomy was developed to classify challenges into three main categories: Evidence Generation, which includes Direct Evidence (tracking the patient journey from test to outcome) and Linked Evidence (modeling outcomes via multiple sources); Ethical and Normative; and Others. The analysis highlighted key difficulties within both direct and linked evidence pathways, as well as significant ethical and normative considerations.
Conclusion: This project provides a comprehensive list and novel taxonomy of 42 distinct challenges for the economic evaluation of diagnostic technologies. This framework can serve as a foundational tool to help researchers anticipate pitfalls and to inform the development of more robust methodological approaches to address these challenges.
If you are not a member of University of York staff and are interested in attending a seminar, please contact alfredo.palacios
