An exploratory assessment of the impact of a novel risk assessment test on breast cancer clinic waiting times and workflow: a discrete event simulation model.

Background: Breast cancer clinics across the UK have long been struggling to cope with high demand. Novel risk prediction tools - such as the PinPoint test - could help to reduce unnecessary clinic referrals. Using early data on the expected accuracy of the test, we explore the potential impact of PinPoint on: (a) the percentage of patients meeting the two-week referral target, and (b) the number of clinic 'overspill' appointments generated (i.

The cost-effectiveness of using rapid diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of typhoid fever in patients with suspected typhoid fever: a systematic review.

Introduction: Despite the availability of several commercial rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) developed to detect typhoid fever, the cost-effectiveness in resource-limited settings is unclear. This review aimed to explore the literature on typhoid economic evaluations in order to assess the cost-effectiveness of using typhoid RDTs in resource-limited settings.

Areas Covered: A systematic review was conducted focusing on the identification of economic evaluations of typhoid RDTs to diagnose patients with suspected typhoid fever.

Early economic evaluation of an intervention to improve uptake of the NHS England Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Background: Despite reported increases in referral numbers, a large proportion of those with prediabetes still decline participation in the NHS England Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP). The aim of this study was to explore whether investment in interventions to improve uptake of the programme has the potential to be cost-effective.

Methods: An early cost-utility analysis was conducted using a Markov model parameterized based on secondary data sources.

Early Economic Evaluation to Identify the Necessary Test Characteristics of a New Typhoid Test to be Cost Effective in Ghana.

Background: In Ghana, there are issues with the diagnosis of typhoid fever; these include delays in diagnosis, concerns about the accuracy of current tests, and lack of availability. These issues highlight the need for the development of a rapid, accurate, and easily accessible diagnostic test. The aim of this study was to conduct an early economic analysis of a hypothetical rapid test for typhoid fever diagnosis in Ghana and identify the necessary characteristics of the test for it to be cost effective in Ghana.

Economic evaluation of typhoid - a review.

Introduction: To evaluate the potential economic value and likely impact of a hypothetical rapid test in its early stages of development requires the use of models. The model structure and the type of model (dynamic/static) to employ are key considerations. The aim of the review was to explore the literature on typhoid economic evaluations and to explore the types of models that have been previously adopted in this setting for test-treat evaluations and to capture data on model inputs that may be useful for a de novo model.

Integrating Qualitative Techniques in Model Development: A Case Study Using the Framework Approach.

Background: Despite their potential, there is limited uptake of formal qualitative methods in model development by modellers and health economists. The aim of this case study was to highlight in a real-world context how a qualitative approach has been applied to gain insight into current practice (delineating existing care pathways) for typhoid fever in Ghana, which can then assist in model structure conceptualisation in a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis.

Methods: The perspectives of a range of healthcare professionals working in different settings and across different practices in the Eastern region of Ghana were captured with a self-administered survey using open-ended questions and analysed using the framework method.

Economic evaluation of medical tests at the early phases of development: a systematic review of empirical studies.

Introduction: There is little specific guidance on the implementation of cost-effectiveness modelling at the early stage of test development. The aim of this study was to review the literature in this field to examine the methodologies and tools that have been employed to date.

Areas Covered: A systematic review to identify relevant studies in established literature databases.

Economic evaluation alongside factorial trials: a systematic review of empirical studies.

Although economic evaluations have been performed alongside factorial trials, there seems to be limited guidance/consensus on appropriate methods of analysis. Following Centre for Review and Dissemination guidance, a systematic review of published literature for all years was performed to explore how economic evaluation alongside factorial trials have been conducted and only full economic evaluations conducted alongside factorial trials were included. A total of 16 relevant studies were identified, and an assessment of these indicated that two methods: within-the-table and at-the-margins approaches were used for the analysis.