The 'Values in Modelling' Framework for Patient and Public Involvement in Health Economics Modelling: Development and...

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Health Services Research
• Decision Science

Background:

• Patient and public involvement (PPI) is crucial in health economics modeling but lacks formal guidance.
• Existing methods for structuring and evaluating PPI in modeling are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Values in Modelling (VIM) framework for structuring and evaluating PPI in health economics modeling.
• To guide collaboration between modelers and stakeholders on value-laden decisions.
• To enhance transparency and justification in health economics research.

Main Methods:

• Developed the five-step VIM framework based on philosophical theory.
• Applied the VIM framework in the Lifetime Exposures and Asthma Outcomes Projection (LEAP) model project.
• Steps include identifying ethical issues, characterizing decisions, selecting strategies, deliberating decisions, and reporting.

Main Results:

• The VIM framework facilitated prioritization of modeling decisions for PPI.
• It supported transparent deliberation regarding uncertainty in the LEAP model.
• Led to methodological changes, including new sensitivity analyses and revised outcome measures.

Conclusions:

• The theory-informed VIM framework effectively enhances PPI in health economics modeling.
• It improves transparency, justification, and adequacy-for-purpose of health economics research.
• The VIM framework provides a structured approach for collaborative decision-making in modeling.