Abstract
Background Diagnostic radiological examinations as well as interventional radiological therapies
are performed at a steadily increasing rate amidst increasingly limited resources
in healthcare systems. Given their potential to contribute decisively to optimized
therapy, in most cases associated short-term direct costs can be well justified from
a clinical perspective. However, to realize their clinical benefits, they must also
succeed in justifying them to payers and policymakers. Therefore, the aim of this
work is to present suitable methods for economic analysis of radiological precedures
and to elaborate their relevance for radiology.
Methodology Methods and metrics of cost-effectiveness analysis are presented and then exemplified
using the example cases of MR mammography and interventional treatment of oligometastatic
tumor disease of the liver.
Results Cost-effectiveness considerations, taking into account long-term gains in lifespan
and quality of life, as well as potential savings through improved treatment planning,
do often objectively and credibly justify short-term additional costs.
Conclusions Cost-effectiveness analyses performed with radiological and health economic expertise
can support the establishment of new radiological technologies in diagnostics and
therapy.
Key Points:
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When radiological procedures are employed, short-term costs are often offset by significant
long-term benefits.
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Radiological examinations and therapies must be justified in the context of limited
economic resources.
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Economic methodologies can be used to quantify the quality and cost-effectiveness
of radiological methods.
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Such analyses as well as targeted training should be encouraged to provide greater
transparency.
Citation Format
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Froelich MF, Kunz WG, Tollens F et al. Cost-effectiveness analysis in radiology: methods,
results and implications. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 29 – 38
Key words
cost-effectiveness - health economics - healthcare policy
