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Outcome studies in industry: Cost‐effectiveness of cumulative trauma disorder prevention
Author(s) -
Mitchell Clifford S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199606)29:6<689::aid-ajim13>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - medicine , outcome (game theory) , cumulative trauma disorder , psychological intervention , cost effectiveness , cost–benefit analysis , occupational medicine , occupational safety and health , risk analysis (engineering) , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , medical emergency , nursing , pathology , ecology , mathematics , mathematical economics , biology
Abstract Cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) is a method for choosing between alternative strategies to achieve a specified outcome in an environment of limited resources. This paper discusses the use of CEA in evaluating prevention strategies in industrial settings, using cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) prevention programs as an example. Methodologic issues in designing studies of cost‐effectiveness for preventive interventions are discussed. A decision analysis model of a CTD prevention program is described as a means of studying the program's cost‐effectiveness. The relationship between CEA and outcomes research, and the strengths and limitations of CEA in evaluating occupational health prevention programs, is considered. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.