Mapping Methodologies for Economic Evaluation of Digital Health Technologies: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Digital Health
• Health Technology Assessment

Background:

• Digital health technologies (DHTs) are transforming healthcare delivery.
• Conventional economic evaluation methods struggle with DHTs' unique characteristics.
• Standardized frameworks are needed for robust DHT economic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map existing economic evaluation frameworks for DHTs.
• To assess the methodological components of these frameworks.
• To identify gaps and inform standardized approaches for DHT evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Comprehensive search of academic and gray literature (since 2015).
• Data extraction on evaluation type, design, comparator, time horizon, perspective, effectiveness, costs, and uncertainty.

Main Results:

• Identified 26 heterogeneous frameworks for DHT economic evaluation.
• Significant gaps found: 81% lacked a defined time horizon, 73% lacked an evaluation perspective.
• Cost-utility and budget impact analyses were common, but choices were often unjustified.

Conclusions:

• Current DHT economic evaluation frameworks lack standardization and adaptability.
• Future frameworks should be flexible, lifecycle-aligned, and standardized.
• Standardized guidance is crucial for evidence-based digital health decision-making.