Toward collaborative cost-inclusive evaluation: Adaptations and transformations for evaluators and economists

Area of Science:

• Multidisciplinary research
• Health economics
• Program evaluation

Background:

• Evaluators and economists increasingly require each other's expertise but often face resistance and work in isolation.
• Expanding domains in research, consulting, teaching, and publication highlight the need for interdisciplinary synergy.
• Current practices reveal challenges in integrating diverse disciplinary perspectives within cost-inclusive evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore necessary adaptations and transformations for effective collaboration between evaluators and economists.
• To identify changes in approaches, methods, analyses, and decision-making algorithms required for cost-inclusive evaluation.
• To reframe cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses as integrated, rather than separate, components.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of contemporary proposals and manuscripts for cost-inclusive evaluations.
• Examination of required changes in approaches and methods for both evaluators and economists.
• Case illustrations demonstrating practical adaptations for interdisciplinary work.

Main Results:

• Significant adaptations are needed in the methods and approaches used by both evaluators and economists.
• Evaluators require specific changes when collaborating with economists, and vice versa.
• Successful cost-inclusive evaluation necessitates the integration of cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses.

Conclusions:

• Effective cost-inclusive evaluation is achieved when evaluators and economists interweave their efforts, supporting and learning from each other.
• Reframing analyses as 'and' activities (cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit) is crucial for successful collaboration.
• This integrated approach is likely essential for the success of most future multidisciplinary endeavors.