New tests of QALYs when health varies over time

J Health Econ. 2008 Sep;27(5):1237-49. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2008.05.009. Epub 2008 Jul 21.

Abstract

This paper performs new tests of the QALY model when health varies over time. Our tests do not involve confounding assumptions and are robust to violations of expected utility. The results support the use of QALYs at the aggregate level, i.e. in economic evaluations of health care. At the individual level, there is less support for QALYs. The individual data are, however, largely consistent with a more general QALY-type model that remains tractable for applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health*
  • Consumer Behavior / economics
  • Delivery of Health Care / economics*
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Models, Econometric*
  • Probability
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires