Reference Case Methods for Expert Elicitation in Health Care Decision Making

Laura Bojke, Marta O. Soares, Karl Claxton, Abigail Colson, Aimée Fox, Chris Jackson, Dina Jankovic, Alec Morton, Linda D. Sharples and Andrea Taylor
Additional contact information
Laura Bojke: Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
Marta O. Soares: Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
Karl Claxton: Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
Abigail Colson: The Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Aimée Fox: Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
Chris Jackson: MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Dina Jankovic: Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
Alec Morton: The Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Linda D. Sharples: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
Andrea Taylor: Leeds University Business School, Leeds, UK

Medical Decision Making, 2022, vol. 42, issue 2, 182-193

Abstract: Background The evidence used to inform health care decision making (HCDM) is typically uncertain. In these situations, the experience of experts is essential to help decision makers reach a decision. Structured expert elicitation (referred to as elicitation) is a quantitative process to capture experts’ beliefs. There is heterogeneity in the existing elicitation methodology used in HCDM, and it is not clear if existing guidelines are appropriate for use in this context. In this article, we seek to establish reference case methods for elicitation to inform HCDM. Methods We collated the methods available for elicitation using reviews and critique. In addition, we conducted controlled experiments to test the accuracy of alternative methods. We determined the suitability of the methods choices for use in HCDM according to a predefined set of principles for elicitation in HCDM, which we have also generated. We determined reference case methods for elicitation in HCDM for health technology assessment (HTA). Results In almost all methods choices available for elicitation, we found a lack of empirical evidence supporting recommendations. Despite this, it is possible to define reference case methods for HTA. The reference methods include a focus on gathering experts with substantive knowledge of the quantities being elicited as opposed to those trained in probability and statistics, eliciting quantities that the expert might observe directly, and individual elicitation of beliefs, rather than solely consensus methods. It is likely that there are additional considerations for decision makers in health care outside of HTA. Conclusions The reference case developed here allows the use of different methods, depending on the decision-making setting. Further applied examples of elicitation methods would be useful. Experimental evidence comparing methods should be generated.

Keywords: Decision-making; economic-evaluation; Elicitation; uncertainty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:medema:v:42:y:2022:i:2:p:182-193

DOI: 10.1177/0272989X211028236

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