Evaluating methodologies for assessing the value of information: sifting the evidence

The article evaluates methodologies for studying the clinical benefits of information provision and use, particularly the impact on clinical decision making (and hence on patient care). The problems of replication of research are discussed, and the ways in which the Value Project consolidated and extended previous studies are considered. Comparisons among studies demonstrate that some of the impact findings are qualitatively and quantitatively similar, but there are also some contradictory findings. Methodological variations and differences in health care cultures account for some of the differences. Implications for the reliability and validity of these methods for assessing the value of information to clinicians are considered.