MM2 Designing Computer Models to Convey Cost-Effectiveness Analyses Results

• Published in: Value in health Vol. 1; no. 1; p. 85
• Main Authors: Parente, ST, Gardner, EN, Mohr, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Inc 01.05.1998; Blackwell Science Inc
• ISSN: 1098-3015; 1524-4733
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1524-4733.1998.1100842.x

Results from economic analyses of the effectiveness of new therapeutic innovations determine whether a new product will be reimbursed by a managed care organization or government agency. Often, the results of these economic analyses are presented as formal empirical analyses in scientific journal articles. With the pace of medical innovations submitted for approval on a payers fee schedule or formulary list ever increasing, it is important to convey the results of analysis as effectively and efficiently as possible. In response, interactive computer models have been developed to present the key findings of an economic analysis. Ideally, these models allow a potential buyer to customize a scientific analysis to determine their own reservation price for a new product. The quality and costs of these software applications vary‐geatly. Given the resources expended to develop these models and time to produce them, it useful to examine the features of cost‐effective “laptop model” design. This workshop will review an inventory of the features of laptop models. Participants will gain an understanding of the development process and costs for developing these models from the conceptual development phase to production of a stand‐alone software application. A checklist of critical ingredients for software development will be reviewed with a special focus on role of a multidisciplinary development team and the capital resources required. A review of the discordance between scientists, biomedical manufactrures, software applications developers and potential clients and methods to gain consensus to build the application will be discussed. Examples from Project HOPE's and other firms' software development initiatives will be demonstrated as successful applications currently in use. Participants with a basic knowledge of computer applications, cost‐effectiveness methods, and systems analysis will likely gain the most from this workshop.