Background
The measurement and valuation of health and which values to use to make assessments of the cost effectiveness of health care interventions is important for healthcare resource allocation, national health policy, welfare and equity for society. Health technology assessments, health services research and generally all health economics and decision support should be grounded in evidenced-based data.
The data, generically referred to as QALY (the quality-adjusted life year), is a generic measure of disease-burden and is used in economic evaluations to assess the value for money of health interventions. It is used by decision makers to determine how to maximise available health resources, distributing those resources both efficiently and equitably for the benefit of all.
Health state utility values (HSUVs) are derived from instruments used to ascertain the value of health. It is these values that enable health economists to assess the value of health interventions. Instruments do vary, and organisations such as NICE will stipulate their instrument preference, e.g. EQ-5D – a health questionnaire applicable to a wide range of health conditions and treatments providing a single index value for health status.
Overall objectives of ScHARRHUD
The main objective of ScHARRHUD is to improve access to health utilities evidence.
ScHARRHUD is a free, searchable web-based database holding bibliographic details of studies reporting on health state utility values (HSUVs). The high level of indexing used in the database makes the retrieval of evidence more efficient and effective – it includes the names of all health state valuation instruments used in each study.
The role of Metaxis
To create an innovative content management solution to improve access to health utilities evidence and manage searching, import, tracking, deduplication and categorisation of data including generic preference-based measures and names of all valuation instruments used in studies.
The solution includes a sophisticated data management process for methodologically sound data extractions and deduplication. This process, enhanced by an advanced level of indexing is at the core of the solution. All data are dual-extracted, bespoke assessed and annotated with each person blind to the other’s work. Merges and conflicts are resolved ensuring a quality assessment of both source records is maintained, with every action logged for a complete audit trail.
A dynamic, accessible and reliable user interface makes the solution easy to use, and the database is kept current by marshalling regular and sensitive searches providing a robust and comprehensive repository of HSUV evidence data.
Key features:
- Comprehensive, easy to use, web-based bibliographic database – a global resource
- Integrated front-end web interface and back-end bespoke data management system
- Advanced content awareness, contextual ‘fuzzy logic’ enabling superior data management
- Sophisticated, highly indexed data search interface
- Maintained data integrity ensuring excellence in evidence base
Key benefits:
- Improved access to HSUV evidence data
- More informed and timely analysis and appraisal
- Enhanced health care resource allocation
- Better outcomes for society – policy, welfare and equity