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Cost-benefit analysis and the evaluation of psychiatric services

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

D. Goldberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Health and Social Security, London, Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester
N. J. Glass
Affiliation:
Department of Health and Social Security, London, Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester
*
1Address for correspondence: Professor David Goldberg, Department of Psychiatry, The University Hospital of South Manchester, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 8LR.

Synopsis

The paper sets out a method for evaluating changes in psychiatric services in a cost-benefit framework. The first section of the paper analyses some of the problems which arise with those elements which can be measured in monetary terms – the ‘hard’ costs and benefits. The second section looks at a method of presenting the less tangible effects – the ‘soft’ costs and benefits. Finally, it is suggested how these can be brought together to aid rational decision-making.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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References

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