Valuing QALYs at the end of life

Jose-Luis Pinto-Prades, Fernando-Ignacio Sánchez-Martínez, Belen Corbacho and Rachel Baker
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Fernando Ignacio Sanchez Martinez

Social Science & Medicine, 2014, vol. 113, issue C, 5-14

Abstract: The possibility of weighting QALYs differently for different groups of patients has been a source of debate. Most recently, this debate has been extended to the relative value of QALYs at the end of life (EoL). The objective of this study is to provide evidence of societal preferences in relation to this topic. Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted amongst Spanish general population (n = 813). Survey 1 compared increases in life expectancy for EoL patients with health gains from temporary health problems. Survey 2 compared health gains for temporary health problems with quality of life gains at the EoL (palliative care). Survey 3 compared increases in life expectancy with quality of life gains, both for EoL patients. Preferences were elicited using Person Trade-Off (PTO) and Willingness to pay (WTP) techniques presenting two different durations of health benefit (6 and 18 months). Health benefits, measured in QALYs, were held constant in all comparisons.

Keywords: Spain; QALY weights; End of life; Palliative care; Life extension; Willingness to pay; Person trade-off (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (26)

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Working Paper: Valuing qalys at the end of life (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:socmed:v:113:y:2014:i:c:p:5-14

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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.04.039

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