Economic evaluation of the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital: final results of the BISCUIT feasibility study

Aim : NHS commissioners need to know if services reduce NHS costs such as GP consultations, hospital visits and medications to inform their funding decisions. The aim of the BISCUIT study was to test the feasibility of economic evaluation of homeopathic packages of care from the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital.

Methods : Using a prospective matched controlled cohort design, 15 case participants from the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital and 19 community controls were matched for GP practice, condition, age and sex. We collected data on personal and NHS costs, wellbeing and quality of life five times over 15 months. GP medical record data were extracted on NHS resource use for all 34 BISCUIT participants. Descriptive analyses from a NHS cost and societal cost perspective were carried out by an independent statistician. To identify key attributes of value for a Discrete Choice model, we interviewed Bristol Homeopathic Hospital patients. Interview data were analysed using a framework approach.

Results : To be presented

Conclusion : Results should be taken with caution. However, findings suggest that homeopathic packages of care offered by the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital may have an impact on quality of life and wellbeing. But further work is needed to devise methodologies to robustly test resource usage, especially given the substantial variation in resource usage amongst individuals.