title: Are cost-inclusive evaluations worth the effort?
abstract: Relative costs are as important as relative effectiveness when choosing between program alternatives or among a set of programs competing for scarce funds. Nevertheless, the number of cost-inclusive evaluations remains comparatively small. This article presents the results of three first-time cost-inclusive evaluations each performed by an experienced evaluator. Each evaluator performed a different type of cost-inclusive evaluation using different tobacco control programs as examples: "standard" cost-effectiveness analysis, threshold or break-even analysis, and a simulation model. Results are presented in terms of the challenges faced, and informational and insight benefits gained, as well as in terms of program cost-effectiveness. All three evaluators agreed that the benefits from performing cost-inclusive evaluations are well worth time and effort involved. They also found that this type of evaluation provides abundant information that can be used to improve program effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85621-0462, USA. pherman@email.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: Deirdre J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.forename: Crystal S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Schemp
authors.forename: Michele E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods