Cost-Effective Medical Care Optimizes Value Over Time.

Abstract

Researchers are encouraged to consider value (cost in addition to outcome) when analyzing the results of arthroscopic and related treatments. Given increasing health care costs, value calculations are critical, particularly in cases of clinical equipoise-uncertainty as to which of various treatment options is optimal. Value calculations must not be shortsighted, and rigor is required to determine direct costs as well as more obscure indirect costs. In addition, sometimes the published literature is ambiguous or conflicting with regard to outcomes. Thus, investigations of cost-effectiveness require sensitivity analyses, where a range of possible results for cost-effectiveness (i.e., the dependent variable) could be reported based on a range of values for the independent variables (costs or outcomes). What is more, value analyses should not be shortsighted; costs and outcomes must be considered over the long term. Ultimately, the most cost-effective treatments may be preferred.