[The role of utilities in economic evaluations of healthcare interventions-an introduction].
Assessment of strength of preference values (utilities) for patients' own health, or disease states from a societal perspective, is an essential element to economic evaluations of healthcare interventions. This review provides an overview of the different methods used to directly elicit strength of preference values: the standard gamble, time trade-off and rating scale methods. Methods used to derive utilities for patients' health states indirectly, and from a societal perspective are described. Three commonly used questionnaires: Health Utilities Index 3, EQ-5D and SF-6D are briefly commented upon. We also discuss the usefulness of utilities and advantages and disadvantages to be considered when choosing direct or indirect utility elicitation methods.
Maetzel
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Division of Clinical Decision Making, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street EN6-232A, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2C4. maetzel@uhnresearch.ca
D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires