How to include economics in Cochrane review protocols 1: background, objectives, outcome measures and types of studies

Article type
Authors
Vale L1, Graybill E2, Shemilt I3
1Campbell and Cochrane Economics Methods Group
2Campbell & Cochrane Economics Methods Group
3Economics Methods Group
Abstract
Objectives: Incorporating health economics evidence into Cochrane Reviews can facilitate decision making that takes account of costs and provides the international context within which previously published evidence can be interpreted and assessed as a preliminary to economic evaluation.
This is the first of a pair of workshops aiming to provide an introduction to the techniques needed to develop a protocol for a Cochrane intervention review that will include health economics perspectives and evidence. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the second workshop of this pair too.
Description: Part one will enable participants to:
- incorporate economics perspectives into the background section;
- formulate an objective for the economics component;
- identify measures of resource use, costs and cost-effectiveness to be included as outcome measures; and
- identify studies likely to contain evidence on resource use, costs and cost-effectiveness.
This workshop is consistent with guidance on the use of economics methods in the preparation and maintenance of Cochrane Reviews, published in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of interventions. It will comprise a didactic presentation, a practical small-group exercise and opportunities for questions and discussion.