[Economic evaluation of medical therapy--methodological principles].

Economic evaluations represent an excellent instrument to prepare decisions in health care with special reference to the allocation of resources as well as the utilisation of new and existing medical interventions and therapies. These evaluations require the identification and assessment of the costs and benefits of the various options prior to their integration in the economic calculations. The basic principles and concepts of economic evaluations are reviewed and discussed. In addition the significance of clinical, resp. medical economics will be reviewed as an important tool for the clinician.