Table 2.
Examples of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and suggested decisions about implementation strategies
| Study | Comparison of implementation strategies | Intervention considered for implementation | Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio | Suggestions for implementation decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason et al. 2005 [12] | Specialist-nurse led clinics versus usual care | Lipid control in patients with diabetes versus no lipid control | $19,950 per quality-adjusted life-year | Use of specialist-nurse led clinics for implementing lipid control is cost-effective |
| Scheeres et al. 2008 [13] | Multifaceted strategy, including health professional and patient education and instruction, versus usual care | Cognitive behavior therapy of chronic fatigue syndrome versus regular counseling | €5,320 per recovered patient | Use of multifaceted strategy for implementing cognitive behavior therapy is cost-effective |
| Walker et al. 2009 [14] | Financial incentives to primary care practices versus usual care | Use of ACE inhibitor and other quality indicators versus conventional care | £5,623 per quality-adjusted life-year | Use of financial incentives for implementing ACE inhibitor and other quality indicators is cost-effective |
| Hoomans et al. 2009 [15] | Audit and feedback to primary care physicians versus usual care | Intensive control of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes versus conventional control | €25,640 per quality-adjusted life-year | Use of audit and feedback for implementing intensified control of blood glucose is cost-effective |
| Choudhry et al. 2011 [16] | No co-payments for patients versus co-payments | Preventive medication after myocardial infarction versus no preventive medication | $54 per nonfatal vascular event or vascularization averted (cost-saving) | Use of no co-payments for implementing preventive medication is cost-effective |
| Mortimer et al. 2013 [17] | Multifaceted strategy targeting primary care physicians, including interactive workshops, versus guideline dissemination alone | Evidence-based care for acute low back pain versus convention | −AU$108 per x-ray referral avoided (cost-saving) | Use of multifaceted strategy for implementing evidence-based care is cost-effective |
| Gillespie et al. 2014 [18] | Structured patient education with group follow-up versus individual follow-up | Self-management in type 1 diabetes versus conventional care | €19,300 per quality-adjusted life year (cost-saving) | Use of structured patient education with group for implementing self-management is not cost-effective |