How to translate PROs into QALYs using the internet

Abstract: With any patient-reported outcome(PRO) instrument, a primary challenge is to summarize its responses along with clinical outcomes for decision analysis. This presentation introduces a framework for conducting online health valuation experiments as well as a novel binary estimator for QALY estimation (i.e., stacked probit). With these health econometric tools, PRO instruments may be expeditiously translated into preference-based measures as exemplified using US SF-6D and SF-12 valuation results. While the debate over QALYs endures, comparative effectiveness research(CER) must continue to produce evidence in decision-relevant units to guide clinical recommendations and health policy.