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Outcome Measurements in Decision Analysis: Life Versus Quality of Life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Mary D. Nettleman
Mary D. Nettleman*
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
*
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242
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Extract

Life expectancy has been the most popular outcome measurement for decision analyses. The effectiveness, or utility, of a strategy is expressed in years of life gained over a baseline state. This is particularly useful from a public health standpoint when a fixed budget must be used to serve a diverse population. For example, should money be spent on influenza vaccination programs or cholesterol screening? A decision analysis to answer this question might use cost per year of life gained as the primary outcome. Essentially, the public health provider is seeking to minimize cost while maximizing life expectancy. Strategies could be ordered and priority given according to rank.

Type
Special Sections
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 10 , Issue 11 , November 1989 , pp. 521 - 524
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1989

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