SMDM CORE COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

Overview: Cost-effectiveness analysis is the art and science of ‘smart shopping’ in healthcare. Many healthcare decision makers use cost-effectiveness analysis to inform their decisions in order to maximize value while staying within budget. This class will answer the WHO, WHERE, WHY, WHEN, WHAT, HOW questions related to cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: As new treatments continue getting more expensive, healthcare decision makers continue to use cost-effectiveness analysis to inform their decisions about how to spend scarce resources. Cost-effectiveness analysis offers a framework for an organized consideration of treatment options as we seek to balance the imperatives of treating disease with not spending more than we should.

Format Requirements: This is an introductory level course; it is for individuals interested in developing their understanding of SMDM posters and presentations in the area of cost-effectiveness analysis.

Description and Objectives: Our objective is that attendees will be able to explain more confidently what SMDM conference presenters have done, what they have found and what it means. We will practice identifying meaningful knowledge being conveyed in the four languages: Plain language, Math, Graph and Jargon.  In addition, attendees will complete this class with the confidence to engage more thoroughly with the producers of economic evaluations meant to inform medical decision making.  Lastly, we will review guidance documents featuring “best practices” for doing CEA.