[The role of economic analysis in health care]

Since the needs in health care are much larger than the resources available to satisfy these needs, economic analysis can play a useful role in health care. Economic analysis can contribute to a better allocation of the available resources, through a comparison of the relative costs of different forms of health care delivery. A combination of correct, detailed information about the costs and effects of health care interventions is a necessary condition for an improved allocation of resources in health care, which is illustrated with a comparison of the effects and costs of open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomies. A better view on the cost structure of different techniques can result in a (more) efficient allocation of scarce resources. A multidisciplinary approach is a necessary condition for successful economic evaluations in health care.