Recognizing diversity in public preferences: the use of preference sub-groups in cost-effectiveness analysis.

摘要: Public preferences are typically incorporated into cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) on the basis of average health state utilities a sample individuals drawn from general public. The programme is then assessed an ‘all-or-nothing’ basis: declared either cost-effective or not for all patients in clinically homogenous sub-groups. However, this approach fails to recognize variability between their preferences. In paper, we consider how diversity can be handled within CEA when public's considered appropriate defining benefit, with objective increasing efficiency care delivery. concept preference sub-group analysis described and some its implications assessed. These include methods that could used identify sub-groups amongst public raters, eliciting possible clinical decision making. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.