A cost utility analysis of physiotherapy, CHERE Discussion Paper No 6

Marion Haas

Discussion Papers from CHERE, University of Technology, Sydney

Abstract: Limits on health care resources mean that resource allocation decisions should be guided by considerations of costs in relation to benefits. A method of economic evaluation, (cost utility analysis) was used to evaluate the costs and benefits of a physiotherapy outpatients department. The quality of life of 50 patients was measured before and after physiotherapy intervention and the costs of the treatment compared to the benefits gained; for individuals, ten categories of conditions and for the group as a whole. Physiotherapy was found to be good value for money as compared to other health care interventions, with minor acute injuries and post fracture treatment representing less value for money than conditions such as back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis. This physiotherapy department should not be disadvantaged with regard to resource allocation. Further research is needed in the areas of efficacy of treatments for specific conditions, effectiveness of one treatment modality as compared to another for a specific condition and the cost effectiveness of other areas of physiotherapy specialisation.

Keywords: Physiotherapy; cost utility analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1992-02

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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:her:chedps:6

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