Value of information analysis for a new technology: computer-assisted total knee replacement

Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Medical technology assessment
• Decision analysis

Background:

• Computer-assisted total knee replacement (CAS-TKR) presents an alternative to conventional total knee replacement (TKR).
• Economic evaluations are crucial for assessing the value of new medical technologies like CAS-TKR.
• Identifying research priorities can optimize resource allocation for improving TKR outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply value of information analysis to quantify the upper limit of returns from future research in CAS-TKR.
• To identify specific research priorities for CAS-TKR based on potential information gains.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a prior economic analysis comparing CAS-TKR and conventional TKR.
• Calculated population expected value of perfect information (EVPI) using Monte Carlo simulation.
• Estimated population expected value of partial perfect information (EVPPI) for individual and grouped parameters.

Main Results:

• The UK's individual EVPI was £21.4 (at £30,000/QALY).
• Population EVPPI reached £8.3 million over a 10-year horizon for CAS-TKR.
• Utility parameters showed the highest EVPPI (£5.6 million), indicating their importance for future research.

Conclusions:

• Value of information analysis effectively identifies key research areas for CAS-TKR.
• Future research should prioritize the utility values associated with health states in TKR for maximum impact.