Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine [Hardcover]

Marthe R. Gold (Editor), Joanna E. Siegel (Editor), Louise B. Russell (Editor), Milton C. Weinstein (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195108248 | ISBN-13: 978-0195108248 | Publication Date: July 18, 1996 | Edition: 1

A unique, in-depth discussion of the uses and conduct of cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) as decision-making aids in the health and medical fields, this volume is the product of over two years of comprehensive research and deliberation by a multi-disciplinary panel of economists, ethicists, psychometricians, and clinicians. Exploring cost-effectiveness in the context of societal decision-making for resource allocation purposes, this volume proposes that analysts include a "reference-case" analysis in all CEAs designed to inform resource allocation and puts forth the most explicit set of guidelines (together with their rationale) ever defined on the conduct of CEAs. Important theoretical and practical issues encountered in measuring costs and effectiveness, evaluating outcomes, discounting, and dealing with uncertainty are examined in separate chapters. Additional chapters on framing and reporting of CEAs elucidate the purpose of the analysis and the effective communication of its findings. Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine differs from the available literature in several key aspects. Most importantly, it represents a consensus on standard methods--a feature integral to a CEA, whose principal goal is to permit comparisons of the costs and health outcomes of alternative ways of improving health. The detailed level at which the discussion is offered is another major distinction of this book, since guidelines in journal literature and in CEA-related books tend to be rather general--to the extent that the analyst is left with little guidance on specific matters. The focused overview of the theoretical background underlying areas of controversy and of methodological alternatives, and, finally, the accessible writing style make this volume a top choice on the reading lists of analysts in medicine and public health who wish to improve practice and comparability of CEAs. The book will also appeal to decision-makers in government, managed care, and industry who wish to consider the uses and limitations of CEAs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" ... clearly written with an excellent glossary and index. It is primarily for researchers and teachers, but is also accessible to those consumers and providers without a research background who are interested in how CEAs may contribute to health policy decisions." Physiotherapy Canada (Fall 1997)

"Well-referenced chapters...A comprehensive glossary and index round out this well-organized book. The book comprehensively examines the methods of cost-effectiveness analysis...Worthwhile addition to the library..."--The New England Journal of Medicine

"At last we have a book that can serve as a manual of operations to assure a level playing field when comparing the cost-effectiveness of a preventive service with a treatment intervention or when comparing two or more prevention strategies for the same condition."--American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Abstract in The American Journal of Public Health

"Should be required reading for health economists, policy researchers, and clinical researchers."--Canadian Journal of Public Health

"An impressive volume which is likely to be referenced in the economic evaluation literature for some years to come....This book makes an important contribution."--Health Economics

"A "must-have" book for practitioners and students of economic evaluation or "cost-effective analysis". It represents a milestone in the maturation of the discipline....A major step forward...Represents the collective wisdom (consensus judgement) of the tall foreheads in discipline...instructive and practical."--Annals of RCPSC

"A major step forward....This [book] represents the collective wisdom...of the tall foreheads in the discipline....Instructive and practical."--Murray Krahn, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

"The book is clearly written with an excellent glossary and index. It is primarily for researchers and teachers, but is also accessible to those consumers and providers without a research background who are interested in how CEAs may contribute to health policy decisions."--Physiotherapy Canada

About the Author

Marthe R. Gold is at U.S. Public Health Service. Joanna E. Siegel is at U.S. Public Health Service. Louise B. Russell is at Rutgers University. Milton C. Weinstein is at Harvard University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 456 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (July 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195108248
• ISBN-13: 978-0195108248
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Medical Books > Administration & Medicine Economics > Health Policy
  • #99 in Books > Medical Books > Administration & Medicine Economics > Hospital Administration

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too many cooks (even if they are good ones) spoil the broth, February 23, 2006

By 

RW (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine (Hardcover)

This book pulls together a lot of information, but in my opinion it is written and organized very very poorly. I have over 10 yrs of experience in in the healthcare industry and came across this book during a grad level course in CEA.

Long, boring, convoluted sentences fill the pages of this book. It took about 3 times more time and effort to get through a page in this book compared to a page in respected journals like JAMA, NEJM, BMJ etc.

If you have lots of time and are doing research in this field - go for it. Alternatively if you want to quickly determine what CEA is about, I would recommend reading Peter Muennig and Kamran Khan "Designing and Conducting Cost-Effectiveness Analyses in Medicine and Health Care".

4.0 out of 5 stars The "Gold" standard, February 15, 2011

By 

one - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine (Hardcover)

this is a comprehensive book covering all aspects of cost effectiveness analysis..for someone without an economics background its a little difficult to grasp the concepts..but i would highly recommend it for anyone who is a beginner in this field

3.0 out of 5 stars Boring, February 7, 2010

By 

S. Reinking (Outside the US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine (Hardcover)

This book is completely boring to read. It drones on. BUT that being said, it is foundational to a lot of the current cost effective analysis today and is cited a bit. It helps to read Drummond's "Methods for the economic evaluation of health care programmes" (2005). This is a much better and more user friendly book with very similar material. It is THE book for the health economics student. I think I will appreciate Gold in a few years when I get further into the area. But right now, as a first year Master's student, its just too boring to force myself to go through, especially when its not required reading.