Abstract
Quality adjusted life years (QALYs) are claimed to be a universal means of measuring output form health care interventions. However, existing QALY research has been carried out mainly in 'high-tech', life extending areas of health care. This paper presents an application of QALY measurement to a 'low-tech' life-quality enhancing area of health care, chiropody. Information on changes in quality of life following chiropody interventions was elicited from both practitioners and patients. We found the apparently low benefit, but low cost service of chiropody to be a potentially cost-effective use of NHS resources. Methodological issues are also addressed relating to the assignment of patients to health states, and whether practitioners' or patients' assessments of changes in quality of life should be used.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 169-185 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Health Policy |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 1991 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Chiropody
- Disability and distress
- Economics
- QALY
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy