Korean J Fam Med.  2009 Aug;30(8):577-587. 10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.8.577.

Health Economics and Outcomes Research

• Kim CM

• KMID: 2234517
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.8.577

Abstract

Health conomics refers to the scientific discipline that compares the value of one healthcare program to another. It is a sub-discipline of Micro-economics. A health economic study evaluates the cost (expressed in monetary terms) and effects (expressed in terms of monetary value, efficacy or enhanced quality of life) of a healthcare program or product. We can distinguish several types of health economic evaluation: cost-minimization analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-utility analysis. Health economics studies serve to guide optimal healthcare resource allocation, in a standardized and scientifically grounded manner. Health economics research facilitates the translation of health technology assessment into useful information for healthcare decision-makers to ensure that society allocates scarce health care resources wisely, fairly and efficiently. Health economics usually evaluate the outcomes like clinical, economics and humanistic outcomes per costs. Health economics research include pharmacoeconomics, clinical epidemiology, decision analysis, modeling, risk assessment, patient-reported outcomes (quality of life), database analyses, observational studies, and patients registries.

Keyword

Health Economics; Pharmacoeconomics; Economic Evaluation; Cost; Quality of Life

MeSH Terms

Biomedical Technology
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Decision Support Techniques
Delivery of Health Care
Dietary Sucrose
Economics, Pharmaceutical
Humans
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Quality of Life
Registries
Resource Allocation
Risk Assessment
Dietary Sucrose