Setting priorities for research: a practical application of 'payback' and expected value of information.
BACKGROUND
Setting priorities for research using economic in addition to scientific criteria can ensure that resources are spent efficiently and equitably.


OBJECTIVE
This study applies two priority setting methods 'payback' and expected value of information (EVI) to two research areas (osteoporosis and pressure ulcers) and where appropriate to four clinical trials: the Record Trial, the Vitamin D and Calcium Trial and the Hip Protector Trial (osteoporosis), and the Pressure Trial (wound care).


METHODS
Two decision-analytic models were developed. For 'payback', the PATHS model was used to estimate the expected net benefits of conducting the four clinical trials. An EVI framework was applied to estimate the cost-effectiveness of conducting further research in the two disease areas investigated.


RESULTS
The application of 'payback' suggests that the Record Trial and the Vitamin D and Calcium Trial would be cost-effective. The Hip Protector and the Pressure Ulcer Trial are cost-effective under certain assumptions concerning the likelihood of obtaining positive, negative or inconclusive results. The EVI method suggests that research would be potentially cost-effective in these areas in the populations considered.


CONCLUSIONS
EVI provides strategic information for setting priorities for research between disease areas and study populations. 'Payback' provides information on the cost-effectiveness of specific research designs. However, further work in this area, particularly concerning the issue of implementation of research, is required.
Fleurence
Rachael L
RL
Department of Health Sciences, York Trials Unit, University of York, Heslington York, UK. Rachael.Fleurence@unitedbiosource.com
D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000191:economics*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017059:Models, Econometric; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D006113:United Kingdom; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D