Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:05
Operant Protocols for Assessing the Cost-benefit Analysis During Reinforced Decision Making by Rodents
Published on: September 10, 2018
Economic evidence in decision-making process in laboratory medicine
Massimo Brunetti1, Silvia Pregno, Holger Schünemann
1Patologia Clinica, Tossicologia e Diagnostica Avanzata, Nuovo Ospedale S. Agostino Estense, Modena, Italy.
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|March 12, 2011
Summary
Evidence-based laboratory medicine is crucial, but economic factors are often overlooked in clinical decisions. Incorporating economic evaluations, like the GRADE approach, can improve understanding of laboratory test costs and benefits.
Area of Science:
- Laboratory Medicine
- Health Economics
- Clinical Decision-Making
Background:
- Hospital laboratories face economic pressures, necessitating efficiency enhancements.
- Clinical decision-making often lacks adherence to Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine principles.
- Economic evaluations have limited influence on healthcare and diagnostic decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the integration of economic evaluations into clinical guidelines.
- To identify barriers hindering the use of economic data in decision-making.
- To propose methods for incorporating cost-effectiveness into laboratory medicine recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical guidelines, focusing on brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal fragment of the prohormone BNP (NT-proBNP) for chronic heart failure.
- Analysis of existing literature on economic evaluations of laboratory tests.
- Examination of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group's balance sheet approach.
Main Results:
- Guidelines recommend BNP/NT-proBNP but rarely include explicit economic data.
- Barriers exist in utilizing economic evaluations within decision-making processes.
- The GRADE approach offers a framework to explicitly consider resource use and costs alongside outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Explicit consideration of economic data is needed in clinical guidelines for laboratory tests.
- The GRADE balance sheet approach can help decision-makers appreciate the overall health benefits, harms, and costs.
- Integrating economic evaluations enhances the evidence base for laboratory medicine policy and practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:26Introduction to Epidemiology
Epidemiology, known as the cornerstone of public health, involves studying the distribution and determinants of health-related events in defined populations and applying these insights to control health issues. This is essential for understanding how diseases spread, identifying populations at greater risk, and implementing measures to control or prevent outbreaks. Epidemiology addresses not only infectious diseases but also non-communicable conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease,...
01:25Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Epidemiological data primarily involves information on specific populations' occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health and diseases. This data is crucial for understanding disease patterns and impacts, aiding public health decision-making and disease prevention strategies. The analysis of epidemiological data employs various statistical methods to interpret health-related data effectively. Here are some commonly used methods:
01:26Pharmacokinetic Models: Comparison and Selection Criterion
Physiological and compartmental models are valuable tools used in studying biological systems. These models rely on differential equations to maintain mass balance within the system, ensuring an accurate representation of the dynamic processes at play.
Physiological models take a detailed approach by considering specific molecular processes. They can predict drug distribution, metabolism, and elimination changes, providing a comprehensive understanding of how drugs interact with the body.
Physiological models take a detailed approach by considering specific molecular processes. They can predict drug distribution, metabolism, and elimination changes, providing a comprehensive understanding of how drugs interact with the body.
01:33Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
In 1971, Peter Perlman and Eva Engvall developed an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA or EIA). ELISA differs from western blot in that the assays are conducted in microtiter plates or in vivo rather than on an absorbent membrane.
There are many different types of ELISAs, but they all involve an antibody molecule whose constant region binds an enzyme, leaving the variable region free to bind its specific antigen. Enzyme-substrate reaction allows the antigen to be visualized or quantified.
There are many different types of ELISAs, but they all involve an antibody molecule whose constant region binds an enzyme, leaving the variable region free to bind its specific antigen. Enzyme-substrate reaction allows the antigen to be visualized or quantified.