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Key Topics in Surgical Research and Methodology pp 411–420Cite as

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

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Abstract

Cost-effectiveness analysis is a fundamental aspect of the evaluation of health care interventions; however, it remains poorly understood by clinicians. This makes the interpretation and assessment of the quality of studies difficult.

In this chapter, we undertake to explain, using examples from the literature, the fundamental methodology and techniques used in cost-effectiveness analysis. We seek to demonstrate and explain common graphical representations of the results of cost-effectiveness analysis. Finally, we will discuss the strengths and limitations of cost-effectiveness analysis.

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Abbreviations

CET:

Cost-effectiveness threshold

HRQoL:

Health-related quality of life

ICER:

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio

NHS:

National Health Service

NICE:

National Institute of Clinical Excellence

NMB:

Net monetary benefit

QALY:

Quality-adjusted life years

WTP:

Willingness-to-pay

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Biosurgery & Surgical Technology, Imperial College London, 10th Floor, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Building, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust at St Mary's Hospital Campus, Praed Street, London, W2 1NY, UK

    Christopher Rao

  2. Dept. Biosurgery & Surgical Technology, Imperial College London St. Mary's Hospital London, 10th floor QEQM Bldg. Praed Street, London, W2 1NY, United Kingdom

    Thanos Athanasiou

Authors
  1. Christopher Rao
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  2. Thanos Athanasiou
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Biosurgery & Surgical Technology, Imperial College London St. Mary's Hospital London, 10th floor QEQM Bldg. Praed Street, London, W2 1NY, United Kingdom

    Thanos Athanasiou  & Ara Darzi  & 

  2. UCSF Global Health Sciences, 3333 California Street, Suite 285, San Francisco L, CA, 94143-0443, USA

    Haile Debas

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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Rao, C., Athanasiou, T. (2010). Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. In: Athanasiou, T., Debas, H., Darzi, A. (eds) Key Topics in Surgical Research and Methodology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71915-1_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-71915-1_32

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-71914-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-71915-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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