Transferability of Economic Evaluation Results

Excerpt

Physicians take their decisions about the management and use of health technologies based on scientific knowledge as well as on their own experience. During the last century, clinical trials have become more common and have constituted the best approach to demonstrate the outcomes of health technologies. Most of the clinical trials are performed under special (ideal) conditions that control for many parameters. Clinicians have access to the results of the trials, frequently carried out in a few countries, and believe that by applying the same technologies to their patients they will achieve similar results. Significant departures from those entry requirements to the clinical trials usually change health outcomes; the concept of effectiveness becomes relevant at this point. Recently, and thanks to information technology, many records from the application of such technologies in real world conditions are available (Cochrane Library, for instance). Consequently physicians can learn about the application of technologies in different settings, and identify those which seem to be more appropriate (more effective) for their patients and health systems. …