BACKGROUND: The appropriate thresholds for decisions on the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions remain controversial, especially in 'end-of-life' situations. Evidence of the values placed on different types of health gain by the general public is limited. METHODS: Across nine European countries, 17,657 people were presented with different hypothetical health scenarios each involving a gain of one quality adjusted life year (QALY) and asked about their willingness to pay (WTP) for that gain. The questions included quality of life (QoL) enhancing and life extending health gains, and a scenario where respondents faced imminent, premature death. RESULTS: The mean WTP values for a one-QALY gain composed of QoL improvements were modest (PPP$11,000). When comparing QALY gains obtained in the near future, the valuation of life extension exceeded the valuation of QoL enhancing gains (mean WTP PPP$19,000 for a scenario in which a coma is avoided). The mean WTP values were higher still when respondents faced imminent, premature death (PPP$29,000). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from the largest survey on the value of health gains by the general public indicated a higher value for life extending gains compared with QoL enhancing gains. A further modest premium may be indicated for life extension when facing imminent, premature death.
BACKGROUND: The appropriate thresholds for decisions on the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions remain controversial, especially in 'end-of-life' situations. Evidence of the values placed on different types of health gain by the general public is limited. METHODS: Across nine European countries, 17,657 people were presented with different hypothetical health scenarios each involving a gain of one quality adjusted life year (QALY) and asked about their willingness to pay (WTP) for that gain. The questions included quality of life (QoL) enhancing and life extending health gains, and a scenario where respondents faced imminent, premature death. RESULTS: The mean WTP values for a one-QALY gain composed of QoL improvements were modest (PPP$11,000). When comparing QALY gains obtained in the near future, the valuation of life extension exceeded the valuation of QoL enhancing gains (mean WTP PPP$19,000 for a scenario in which a coma is avoided). The mean WTP values were higher still when respondents faced imminent, premature death (PPP$29,000). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from the largest survey on the value of health gains by the general public indicated a higher value for life extending gains compared with QoL enhancing gains. A further modest premium may be indicated for life extension when facing imminent, premature death.
Authors: Carl Tilling; Marieke Krol; Arthur E Attema; Aki Tsuchiya; John Brazier; Job van Exel; Werner Brouwer Journal: Eur J Health Econ Date: 2015-08-20
Authors: Jorge Barros-Garcia-Imhof; Andrés Jiménez-Alfonso; Inés Gómez-Acebo; María Fernández-Ortiz; Jéssica Alonso-Molero; Javier Llorca; Alejandro Gonzalez-Castro; Trinidad Dierssen-Sotos Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-28 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Neil McHugh; Rachel M Baker; Helen Mason; Laura Williamson; Job van Exel; Rohan Deogaonkar; Marissa Collins; Cam Donaldson Journal: BMC Med Ethics Date: 2015-03-07 Impact factor: 2.652
Authors: Neil McHugh; Job van Exel; Helen Mason; Jon Godwin; Marissa Collins; Cam Donaldson; Rachel Baker Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2017-12-16 Impact factor: 4.634