title: Population-level cost-effectiveness of implementing evidence-based practices into routine care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this research was to apply a new methodology (population-level cost-effectiveness analysis) to determine the value of implementing an evidence-based practice in routine care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are from sequentially conducted studies: a randomized controlled trial and an implementation trial of collaborative care for depression. Both trials were conducted in the same practice setting and population (primary care patients prescribed antidepressants).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study combined results from a randomized controlled trial and a pre-post-quasi-experimental implementation trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The randomized controlled trial collected quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from survey and medication possession ratios (MPRs) from administrative data. The implementation trial collected MPRs and intervention costs from administrative data and implementation costs from survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the randomized controlled trial, MPRs were significantly correlated with QALYs (p = .03). In the implementation trial, patients at implementation sites had significantly higher MPRs (p = .01) than patients at control sites, and by extrapolation higher QALYs (0.00188). Total costs (implementation, intervention) were nonsignificantly higher ($63.76) at implementation sites. The incremental population-level cost-effectiveness ratio was $33,905.92/QALY (bootstrap interquartile range -$45,343.10/QALY to $99,260.90/QALY).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methodology was feasible to operationalize and gave reasonable estimates of implementation value.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research and Development, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR; South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, North Little Rock, AR.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fortney
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pyne
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Burgess
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: Cost-effectiveness; depression; implementation