Ten pressure points in primary care during COVID-19: findings from an international narrative review.

Background: Strong primary care (PC) services are the foundation of high-performing health care systems and can support effective responses to public health emergencies. Primary care practitioners (PCPs) and PC services played crucial roles in supporting global health system responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these contributions have come at a cost, impacting on PC services and affecting patient care.

Developing an Australian Value Set for the Recovering Quality of Life-Utility Index (ReQoL-UI) instrument using Discrete Choice Experiment with Duration.

Objectives: The Recovering Quality of Life-Utility Index (ReQoL-UI) instrument was designed to measure the quality of life outcomes for people over 16 years of age with mental health problems. We aim to elicit societal preferences for the ReQoL-UI health states to facilitate better decision-making in Australia.

Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) with duration was embedded in a self-complete online survey and administered to a representative sample (n=1019) of the Australian adult population aged 18 years and more, stratified for age, sex and geographic location.

Evaluating primary care expenditure in Australia: the Primary Care Spend (PC Spend) model.

Objectives: To assess the distribution of health care expenditure (public and private) for primary care and primary health care as proportions of overall health care funding.

Study Design: The Primary Care Spend model; estimated distribution of expenditure for three tiers of primary care services by provider and function.

Setting: Primary Care Spend model applied to Australian health expenditure, public and private, 2020-21, from a health sector perspective, as recorded by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Examination of Methods to Estimate Productivity Losses in an Economic Evaluation: Using Foodborne Illness as a Case Study.

Background: Cost-utility analyses commonly use two primary methods to value productivity: the human capital approach (HCA) and the friction cost approach (FCA). Another less frequently used method is the willingness-to-pay (WTP) approach, which estimates the monetary value individuals assign to avoiding an illness. In the context of foodborne illnesses (FBI), productivity loss represents one of the most significant economic impacts, particularly in developed nations.

Systematic Literature Review of Access Pathways to Drugs for Patients with Rare Diseases.

Objective: This article reviews the assessment pathways that have been implemented worldwide to facilitate access to drugs for patients with rare diseases.

Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to conduct a systematic literature review. The Ovid (Embase/MEDLINE), Cochrane, Web of Science, Econlit, National Institute of Health Research, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, and International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment databases were searched.

Artificial intelligence in radiation therapy treatment planning: A discrete choice experiment.

Introduction: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiation therapy holds promise for addressing challenges, such as healthcare staff shortages, increased efficiency and treatment planning variations. Increased AI adoption has the potential to standardise treatment protocols, enhance quality, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs. However, drawbacks include impacts on employment and algorithmic biases, making it crucial to navigate trade-offs.

Preferences for the delivery of early abortion services in Australia: a discrete choice experiment.

Background Abortion is a common procedure in Australia; it is estimated that the rate is between 15 and 17 per 1000 women. Surgical and medical abortion options are available; however, the use of medical abortion is not as common as in other similar countries. The aim of this study is to understand preferences for the provision of early abortion services in Australia.

Valuation survey for SF-6Dv2 in Japan based on the international protocol.

Purpose: The SF-6D Classification System was recently updated (SF-6Dv2). We performed a valuation survey to construct a value set for the SF-6Dv2 in Japan.

Methods: An online discrete choice experiment (DCE) with duration was used to estimate a value set for the SF-6Dv2 for Japan based on public preferences.

Impact of time to antibiotics on clinical outcome in paediatric febrile neutropenia: a target trial emulation of 1685 episodes.

Background: Prompt antibiotic administration for febrile neutropenia (FN) is standard of care, and targets of time to antibiotics (TTA) <60 min are common. We sought to determine the effect of TTA ≥60 versus <60 min on adverse outcomes (intensive care unit (ICU) admission or death) in children with cancer and FN. Effect modification by a decision rule that predicts infection (AUS-rule) and bacteraemia were also investigated.

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in Thailand: Determinants and variation across socioeconomic status.

Objectives: Reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is a primary public health goal in Thailand, but information on the characteristics of SSB consumers remains limited. This study aims to gain knowledge about the characteristics of SSB consumers in Thailand.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of survey data.

Factors influencing the cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus with low-grade dysplasia in Australia.

Endoscopic eradication therapy using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered an acceptable alternative to surveillance monitoring for Barrett's esophagus with low-grade dysplasia (LGD). This study aimed to estimate whether RFA for LGD is cost-effective and to determine which factors influence cost-effectiveness. A Markov model was developed to estimate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained for RFA compared with endoscopic surveillance.

A Systematic Literature Review of Modelling Approaches to Evaluate the Cost Effectiveness of PET/CT for Therapy Response Monitoring in Oncology.

Background And Objective: This systematic literature review addresses model-based cost-effectiveness studies for therapy response monitoring with positron emission tomography (PET) generally combined with low-dose computed tomography (CT) for various cancer types. Given the known heterogeneity in therapy response events, studies should consider patient-level modelling rather than cohort-based modelling because of its flexibility in handling these events and the time to events. This review aims to identify the modelling methods used and includes a systematic assessment of the assumptions made in the current literature.

Testing the psychometric characteristics of EQ-5D-5L and respiratory bolt-ons using a sample of the Australian population.

Purpose: The EQ-5D has been used to assess health related quality of life (HRQoL) in respiratory conditions. However, the core descriptive system may not be sensitive to all the HRQoL impacts of these conditions. To increase the sensitivity of the descriptive system, two respiratory specific bolt-ons, have been developed.

The Short Form 6 Dimensions (SF-6D): Development and Evolution.

This paper considers the development and evolution of the short-form 6 dimensions (SF-6D), a generic preference-weighted measure consisting of a health classification with accompanying value set that was developed from one of the widest used health related quality of life measures, the SF-36 health survey. This enabled health state utility values to be directly generated from SF-36 and SF-12 data for a range of purposes, including to produce quality adjusted life years for use in economic evaluation of healthcare interventions across a range of different conditions and treatments. This paper considers the rationale for the development of the measure, the development process, performance and how the SF-6D has evolved since its conception.

Delineating Care Recipient Burden Constructs: Development and Validation of the CARE-2B Scale for Care Recipient Self-Perceived Burden and Proxy Assessment of Caregiver Burden.

Background And Objectives: Care Recipient Self-Perceived Burden (CR-SPB) to Caregivers is an important but overlooked aspect within the caregiver-care recipient relationship. This study aimed to 1) develop and validate the CARE-2B (Care Recipient's Two Burden) Scale, assessing both CR-SPB and their proxy assessment of caregiver burden (Proxy-CB); 2) examine whether the CR-SPB and Proxy-CB differ from caregiver burden's own assessment and other health and social care constructs.

Research Design And Methods: Data were collected from 504 caregiver-care recipient dyads in the US using an online panel between August 2022 and February 2023.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy in the management of stage 1 non-small-cell lung cancer: Results from the TROG 09.02 CHISEL study.

Introduction: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a standard of care treatment for medically inoperable early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The CHISEL trial was a phase 3 randomised controlled trial that compared SABR to conventional radiation therapy (CRT). Using patient-level data, we compared the cost-effectiveness of SABR and CRT for early-stage NSCLC.

Prescription drug monitoring program in Australia: a qualitative study of stakeholders' experiences and perceptions of a state-wide implementation.

Background: Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) are increasingly implemented across the globe with aims of managing and mitigating risks relating to high-risk prescription medicines. There is limited research focused on identifying strategies or processes for large-scale PDMP implementation. This study aimed to identify strategies perceived as necessary for successful state-wide implementation of a PDMP by exploring the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders responsible for the implementation in New South Wales (NSW), Australia: to identify (1) the drivers of implementation; (2) perceived strategies that worked well; (3) barriers to implementation; and (4) the elements needed for long-term success of SafeScript NSW.

Codesigning a Community Health Navigator program to assist patients to transition from hospital to community.

Background This study aimed to identify the potential roles for Community Health Navigators (CHNs) in addressing problems faced by patients on discharge from hospital to the community, and attitudes and factors which may influence their adoption. Methods Twenty-six qualitative interviews and an online codesign workshop were conducted with patients, nurses, general practice staff, health service managers, community health workers, general practitioners, medical specialists, and pharmacists in the Sydney Local Health District. Qualitative themes from the interviews and workshop transcripts were analysed inductively and subsequently grouped according to a socio-ecological model.

Different Models, Same Results: Considerations When Choosing Between Approaches to Model Cost Effectiveness of Chimeric-Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Versus Standard of Care.

Objective: Chimeric antigen-receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) is characterised by early phase data at the time of registration, high upfront cost and a complex manufacturing and administration process compared with standard therapies. Our objective was to compare the performance of different models to assess the cost effectiveness of CAR-T using a state-transition model (STM), partitioned survival model (PSM) and discrete event simulation (DES).

Methods: Individual data for tisagenlecleucel for the treatment of young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were used to populate the models.

An EQ-5D-5L Value Set for Ghana Using an Adapted EuroQol Valuation Technology Protocol.

Objectives: Ghana's economic evaluation reference case recommends quality-adjusted life-years as an outcome measure for the conduct of cost-utility analysis. There is no Ghanaian value set available to be used in estimating quality-adjusted life-years. This study aimed to develop a value set for Ghana using the EQ-5D-5L instrument.

Appropriateness of the EQ-HWB for Use in Residential Aged Care: A Proxy Perspective.

Background And Objective: The EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB) is a new generic quality-of-life measure for use in evaluating interventions in health, public health and social care. This study aimed to explore proxies' views regarding the appropriateness of the EQ-HWB for measuring residents' quality of life living in residential aged care facilities.

Methods: Qualitative think-aloud and semi-structured interviews were conducted with family members and aged care staff across three facilities in Melbourne, Australia.

Valuing quality of life for economic evaluations in cancer: navigating multiple methods.

Introduction: Utility values offer a quantitative means to evaluate the impact of novel cancer treatments on patients' quality of life (QoL). However, the multiple methods available for valuing QoL present challenges in selecting the most appropriate method across different contexts.

Areas Covered: This review provides cancer clinicians and researchers with an overview of methods to value QoL for economic evaluations, including standalone and derived preference-based measures (PBMs) and direct preference elicitation methods.

Creating an SF-6Dv2 social value set for New Zealand.

The SF-6D health descriptive system and its second version published in 2020, the SF-6Dv2, is used worldwide for valuing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for economic evaluation and measuring patient-reported health outcomes. In this study, a valuation tool was developed and applied to create a social value set, comprising 18,750 health state values, for the SF-6Dv2 for New Zealand (NZ). This tool was adapted and extended from the one used to create a social value set for the EQ-5D-5L, a simpler health descriptive system with fewer dimensions and health states.