The EQ-HWB: Overview of the Development of a Measure of Health and Wellbeing and Key Results

How well do participants understand the questions asked in the Online Personal Utility Functions (OPUF) approach? A cognitive debrief of the EQ-HWB-S (EQ Health and Wellbeing Short version) valuation

PURPOSE

Online elicitation of Personal Utility Functions (OPUF) is an innovative approach to valuing health states. OPUF uses a combination of ranking, swing-weighting, levels-rating and anchoring dead tasks. Little is known about how participants interpret and engage with OPUF tasks. This study aimed to address this gap.

METHOD

Cognitive debrief interviews, which included 'think-aloud' and probing questions, were undertaken in the UK to understand how members of the public engage with OPUF when used to value the EQ-HWB-S (EQ Health and Wellbeing Short version). Coding drew upon a Framework approach, with final codes including an assessment of how participants engaged with each of the five OPUF tasks based on whether (1) they completed as expected, (2) minor concerns were identified or (3) major concerns were identified. The presence of major concerns was judged to undermine the validity of responses.

RESULTS

All 27 interviews were identified to have at least minor concern and 18 (67%) were identified as having major concerns. Major concerns were identified in four of the tasks: ranking (in 19% of interviews), swing-weighting (30%), levels-rating (56%), anchoring dead task (48%). Older participants were more likely to have major errors.

CONCLUSION

Think-aloud and probing interviews with 27 participants completing the OPUF identified multiple concerns, to the extent that their data is unlikely to be a valid reflection of their preferences. The extent of concerns identified here suggests the need for interviewer led data collection within OPUF to ensure data quality.

EuroQol data for assessment of population health needs and instrument evaluation (EQ-DAPHNIE): a study for enhancing population health assessment

BACKGROUND

Methods for collecting self-reported health status measures in population health surveys vary significantly across countries, presenting challenges to comparability. The EuroQol Data for Assessment of Population Health Needs and Instrument Evaluation (EQ-DAPHNIE) project aims to address this issue by developing infrastructure to generate representative datasets across multiple countries. This initiative aims to standardize data collection methodologies and to evaluate the performance of various health status measures, providing a foundation for reliable population health assessments. This paper describes the rationale, design and data collection methods for the EQ-DAPHNIE project.

METHODS/DESIGN

EQ-DAPHNIE employs a cross-sectional online survey design targeting the general adult population across various countries. Participants were recruited through an online panel provider. Each country had a target sample of 4500 responses, with quota sampling to ensure representativeness based on age, sex, income, region, and language. The survey collected comprehensive data on social determinants of health at both individual and neighbourhood levels. Participation was voluntary, and measures were taken to maintain data anonymity and ensure data quality through pre-testing and various quality assurance approaches.

DISCUSSION

The EQ-DAPHNIE project represents a significant advancement in generating large, representative, and comparable population health datasets across multiple countries. By employing precise sampling strategies, robust recruitment and data collection methods, and rigorous quality control measures, the project aims to provide a valuable resource for assessing and understanding population health and evaluating various health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and wellbeing instruments.

Comparing the Measurement Properties of the Preliminary Version of the EuroQol Health and Well-Being and EQ-5D-5L in Patients, Healthy General Public, and Caregivers

OBJECTIVES

The EuroQol Health and Well-Being (EQ-HWB) is a new generic quality of life (QOL) questionnaire to capture broader aspects of health and well-being than EQ-5D-5L. This study examined the measurement properties of the preliminary EQ-HWB version in patients, healthy individuals, and healthy caregivers.

METHODS

Respondents (1) with or without caregiver tasks, (2) with different diseases, or (3) in full health were recruited online. Ceiling effects, convergent and divergent validity, known disease, and caregiver group differences were explored, and an exploratory factor analysis was used.

RESULTS

A total of 500 respondents were recruited, including 100 healthy individuals (excluding 40 healthy caregivers), 122 with chronic hepatitis B, 101 with HIV/AIDS, 107 with depression, and 90 with generalized anxiety disorder. The EQ-HWB activities dimension correlated most highly with the EQ-5D-5L mobility, self-care, and usual activities dimensions, whereas EQ-HWB physical sensation dimension was strongly related to the EQ-5D-5L pain/discomfort dimension. Additional EQ-HWB dimensions (self-identity, cognition, autonomy, feelings and emotions, and relationships) aligned most closely with the EQ-5D-5L anxiety/depression dimension. Both instruments differentiated disease burden across healthy individuals and patients and identified caregiving roles. The EQ-5D-5L revealed 3 factors in exploratory factor analysis, whereas the EQ-HWB included 2 additional factors (F1 cognition, F2 physical activity, F3 feelings and emotions, F4 positive items, and F5 physical sensation).

CONCLUSIONS

EQ-HWB is able to measure health-related QOL in healthy people, patients, and caregivers given that it shares the same conceptual structure with EQ-5D. EQ-HWB is more sensitive in patients with mental health conditions than the EQ-5D. These results support that EQ-HWB captures well-being alongside health-related QOL.

Development and Testing of the Psychometric Properties of 20 Bolt-On Items for the EQ-5D-5L Across 31 Rare Diseases

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to develop and assess the psychometric properties of relevant bolt-on items for the EQ-5D-5L in patients with rare diseases (RDs).

METHODS

Nineteen new EQ-5D-5L bolt-ons were developed based on literature review, expert input, and qualitative interviews and focus groups with patients, caregivers, and representatives of patient associations. A nationwide, cross-sectional, web-based survey in China included patients or caregivers of patients with 31 RDs in China (n = 9190). In each RDs, participants completed the EQ-5D-5L and 3 of 20 (1 existing and 19 newly developed) bolt-ons. Ceiling, explanatory power, convergent, divergent, and known-group validity were examined.

RESULTS

Among the bolt-ons, itching had the lowest ceiling (6.5%), whereas social relationships had the highest (42.2%). The absolute reduction in the ceiling of the EQ-5D-5L with the addition of any bolt-ons was limited, ranging from 0 (respiratory problems) to 8.3% points (isolation). Dignity and vitality resulted in the largest increase in explained variance in EQ VAS. The isolation, fertility, and visual acuity bolt-ons showed good divergent validity from the EQ-5D-5L items. There was strong convergent validity between SF-12 and conceptually related bolt-ons (eg, physical health composite and muscle problems bolt-on). Various bolt-ons improved the known-groups validity in specific patient groups, eg, Huntington's disease (oral expressions), scleroderma (dexterity), myasthenia gravis (muscle problems), neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis (fatigue), Marfan syndrome (self-image), and Pompe disease (safety).

CONCLUSION

The EQ-5D-5L shows sufficient validity in most RDs, but incorporating relevant, specific bolt-ons could enhance its ability to more comprehensively assess health-related quality of life in these patients.

EQ-5D-5L or EQ-HWB-S: Which is the Better Instrument for Capturing Spillover Effects in Parental Carers of Children with COVID-19?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

'Caregiver health spillovers' refer to the broader impacts of an individual's illness and interventions on informal caregivers' health and well-being. This study focuses on the spillover effects experienced by parental carers of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), aiming to compare the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-5L and the experimental EQ Health and Wellbeing Short version (EQ-HWB-S) in capturing these effects.

METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted with 861 parental carers of children aged 0-18 years with COVID-19 and 231 parents of healthy children as the control group. The EQ-5D-5L and EQ-HWB-S were used to assess parental health and well-being. Analyses included known-groups validity (multivariable regression), test-retest reliability (Gwet's AC1, intraclass correlation coefficient) and responsiveness to health improvement (Glass' Δ effect size).

RESULTS

Parents of infected children reported more problems than those of healthy controls. The EQ-HWB-S better discriminated between sub-groups defined by the child's COVID-19 presence, caring time and work impact. Test-retest reliability was fair to good for EQ-HWB-S dimensions (Gwet's AC1: 0.33-0.79), moderate to good for EQ-5D-5L (Gwet's AC1: 0.40-0.76), and good for index scores and EQ VAS (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.70-0.77). Parental health and well-being improved as children recovered, with the EQ-5D-5L showing slightly higher responsiveness (effect size: 0.77-0.87) than EQ-HWB-S (effect size: 0.62-0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Both EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L are valid, reliable and responsive for measuring parental spillover effects related to a child's COVID-19 infection. EQ-HWB-S outperformed in distinguishing social and emotional impacts of caregiving, while EQ-5D-5L better captured physical health improvements. The choice between tools may depend on study objectives.

A qualitative systematic review of the impact of hearing on quality of life

PURPOSE

Hearing loss, deafness, and other hearing-related conditions can significantly impact quality of life; numerous qualitative studies have sought to describe these impacts. Synthesis of these findings may provide additional or more robust insights.

METHODS

A qualitative systematic review of studies reporting qualitative data relating to the impact of hearing problems on adults' health-related quality of life. A subset of studies was included in the review and subsequently analysed using a thematic approach.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 129 studies, of which 22 met our inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. The included studies, primarily from Australia, the UK, and the USA, involved approximately 450 participants with various hearing conditions. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were the most common data collection methods, with thematic analysis being the predominant analytical approach. Three overarching categories of descriptive themes were identified: Physical, Mental, and Social. Physical encompassed sound localization, sound clarity, speech, and physical fatigue. Social included relationships, isolation, communication, independence, work function, social stigma, and confidence. Mental encompassed depression, anxiety, listening effort, mental fatigue, fear, and identity. The identified themes shed light on the diverse domains of health-related quality of life affected by hearing conditions.

CONCLUSION

Differences in hearing function impact upon people's health-related quality of life in a variety of ways relating to physical, mental, and social aspects of health, and these themes are clearly demonstrated across qualitative studies. These results will inform the development of hearing-specific questionnaire items for with the EQ-5D descriptive system, a commonly used patient-reported outcome measure.

Selection of patient-reported outcome measures in pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical trials: a systematic review, meta-analysis and health-related quality of life framework

INTRODUCTION

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is valued as an outcome measure by patients, clinicians and regulators. The selection of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for measurement of HRQoL in PAH clinical trials lacks systematic evaluation of their suitability, accuracy and reliability.

METHODS

We report a systematic review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024484021) following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines of PROMs selected in PAH clinical trials. PROM measurement properties were then evaluated according to the 10-step COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist and graded by recommendation for use. Finally, HRQoL was modelled into a conceptual framework using patient interviews and surveys.

RESULTS

Screening of 896 records identified 90 randomised controlled trials. 43 trials selected PROMs, of which 20 were sufficiently validated to detect meaningful change. Of these, eight trials were adequately powered, using either EuroQol-five dimensions-five levels (EQ-5D-5L), Short-Form-36 (SF-36) or the Living with Pulmonary Hypertension Questionnaire (LPHQ). The COSMIN evaluation recommended EmPHasis-10 and the LPHQ for use (grade A); whereas, SF-36 and EQ-5D-5L require further study (grade B). A conceptual framework of HRQoL was developed from literature comprising 8045 patients. This framework can be used to visualise the different HRQoL concepts measured by different PROMs.

CONCLUSION

To improve patient-centred research, greater consistency in PROM selection is required. Three of 90 randomised controlled trials have selected COSMIN-recommended PROMs. Whilst the PROMs evaluated require development across the 10 areas of psychometric property measurement, EmPHasis-10 and the LPHQ can be recommended for use. The ratified conceptual framework can further support PROM selection by identifying the HRQoL concepts they are likely to capture.

Delineating Care Recipient Burden Constructs: Development and Validation of the CARE-2B Scale for Care Recipient Self-Perceived Burden and Proxy Assessment of Caregiver Burden

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Care Recipient Self-Perceived Burden (CR-SPB) to Caregivers is an important but overlooked aspect within the caregiver-care recipient relationship. This study aimed to (a) develop and validate the CARE-2B (Care Recipient's Two Burden) Scale, assessing both CR-SPB and their proxy assessment of caregiver burden (Proxy-CB); and (b) examine whether the CR-SPB and Proxy-CB differ from caregiver burden's own assessment and other health and social care constructs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data were collected from 504 caregiver-care recipient dyads in the United States using an online panel between August 2022 and February 2023. Care recipients completed the CARE-2B Scale, which includes two subscales: CR-SPB and Proxy-CB. Care recipients also completed measures related to health and well-being: SPB-scale, EQ-5D-5L, and EQ Health and Well-Being (EQ-HWB). Caregivers completed Care-Related Quality of Life (CarerQoL) and Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for Carers (ASCOT-Carer). Psychometric analysis included exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory (IRT), and construct validity.

RESULTS

CR-SPB correlated strongly with the SPB-scale (r = 0.73), whereas Proxy-CB correlated more strongly with caregiver-reported burden (r = 0.61). Both CR-SPB and Proxy-CB items demonstrated good discrimination and information coverage in IRT analysis. Exploratory factor analysis further supported the distinctiveness of CR-SPB and Proxy-CB, with CR-SPB items loading on a separate factor from caregiver burden and health constructs, whereas Proxy-CB aligned with caregiver-reported burden.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The CARE-2B Scale innovatively assesses both CR-SPB and Proxy-CB from the care recipient's perspective, providing new insights into the caregiving relationship. This dual-perspective measure has implications for enhancing care strategies for individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities and their caregivers.

A framework for extending the health-related quality adjusted life year by combining instruments

Current measurement systems focus mostly on health, and not on multiple constructs of quality of life outcomes (for example health and social outcomes) together. This means we don't capture all that is of value to those receiving treatments, and to society more broadly. Recent research has explored how to extend the quality adjusted life year (QALY) beyond a narrow focus on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) aiming to improve the allocation of scarce health and social care resources. Measures of different constructs, including the EuroQol-Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB), and different versions of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT) and ICEpop CAPability (ICECAP), have been developed. Another approach to extending the health focused QALY is to combine existing descriptive systems with different foci into a single instrument. This has the advantage of using available information and allowing trade-offs between the domains of the descriptive systems to be made explicit. The aim of this paper is to propose a framework to guide this approach and outline the methodological process for generating broader descriptive systems. The first section of the paper explains the framework for combining existing instruments and discusses advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include increasing measurement sensitivity to the wider combined quality of life (QoL) impacts of many interventions and using value sets encompassing preferences that are based on trade-offs across diverse constructs. This enables values informed by impacts on broader QoL with relevance across diverse populations, to be used. Disadvantages include theoretical limitations linked to the constructs of QoL included, and practical difficulties combining instruments. The second section of the paper describes the methodological process for generating combined descriptive systems. This includes how to identify which constructs of QoL could be included, and a description of the mixed methods work required to generate a descriptive system that is psychometrically valid, and appropriate for valuation. Combining constructs of QoL from existing instruments offers a promising way to extend the QALY that differs to developing instruments de novo. Future research can use the framework outlined to develop combined instruments and explore the feasibility and wider applicability of the approach, and the use of the instruments generated in resource allocation decision making.

The New Dutch Guideline for Economic Evaluations in Healthcare: Taking the Societal Perspective to the Next Level

OBJECTIVES

To promote uniform and high-quality economic evaluations, several national Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies have developed guidelines. Because of ongoing (methodological) developments within the field of HTA and economic evaluations, the Dutch health economic guideline needed a revision. This article briefly discusses the process of the latest revision, highlights most important changes, and presents a research agenda with topics for which more research is desired.

METHODS

An independent committee of 8 Dutch academic HTA experts was installed to advise the National Health Care Institute on this revision. A survey was sent to all relevant stakeholders to obtain input on adjustments needed. The committee discussed the results from the survey and during 4 meetings, formulated its advice accordingly.

RESULTS

The most important revisions are a lowered discount rate for costs, additional guidance concerning expert opinion and expert elicitation, the inclusion of health-related quality of life of informal caregivers, performing probabilistic analysis for the main results, indirect medical costs in life years gained, additional guidance on empirical economic evaluations and the inclusion of value of information analyses. Furthermore, the costing manual has been updated as well, including updated reference prices and additional price categories related to educational and judicial costs.

CONCLUSIONS

The revised Dutch guideline provides up-to-date guidance for conducting economic evaluations in The Netherlands that can inform health policy decisions from a broad societal perspective.

Developing an Australian Value Set for the Recovering Quality of Life-Utility Index Instrument Using Discrete Choice Experiment With Duration

OBJECTIVES

The Recovering Quality of Life-Utility Index (ReQoL-UI) instrument was designed to measure the quality-of-life outcomes for people older than 16 years with mental health problems. We aimed to elicit societal preferences for the ReQoL-UI health states to facilitate better decision making in Australia.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment with duration was embedded in a self-completed online survey and administered to a representative sample (n = 1019) of the Australian adult population aged 18 years and older stratified by age, sex, and geographic location. A partial subset design discrete choice experiment was used with 3 fixed attributes and 5 varying attributes, containing 240 choice tasks that were divided into 20 blocks so that each respondent was assigned a block of 12 choice tasks. The value set was modeled using the conditional logit model with utility decrements directly anchored on the 0 to 1 dead-full health scale. Preference heterogeneity was tested using a mixed logit model.

RESULTS

The final value set reflects the monotonic nature of the ReQoL-UI descriptive systems where the best health state defined by the descriptive system has a value of 1 and the worst state has a value of -0.585. The most important dimension was physical health problems, whereas the least important attribute was self-perception. Sensitivity and preference heterogeneity analyses revealed the stability of the value set.

CONCLUSIONS

The value set, which reflects the preferences of the Australian population, facilitates the calculation of an index for quality-adjusted life-years in mental health intervention cost-utility analyses.

The Psychometric Properties of the EQ-HWB and EQ-HWB-S in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Comparative Analysis With EQ-5D-5L, FACT-8D, and SWEMWBS

OBJECTIVES

The EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB) is a new generic measure that captures constructs beyond health-related quality of life, with a 25-item long form and a shorter 9-item version (EQ-HWB-S). This study aimed to assess the psychometric performance of both versions in breast cancer, which is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, and compare them with other instruments.

METHODS

A longitudinal survey in Indonesia (2023-2024) with 300 female patients used the EQ-HWB, 5-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (from which Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Eight Dimension [FACT-8D] was derived), and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS, from which the Short WEMWBS was derived). Distributional characteristics, convergent validity, known-group validity (Student's t test or analysis of variance), test-retest reliability, and responsiveness were assessed.

RESULTS

All patients reported problems in at least 1 EQ-HWB item. The EQ-HWB-S index (11%) had a lower ceiling than the EQ-5D-5L (35%) and the Short WEMWBS (15.3%), but not the FACT-8D (5%). EQ-HWB-S index values correlated strongly with EQ-5D-5L (r = 0.73) and FACT-8D index values (r = 0.70), whereas EQ-HWB level sum scores correlated strongly with Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (r = 0.69) and moderately with WEMWBS (r = 0.49). The EQ-HWB and EQ-HWB-S discriminated across known groups comparably with the EQ-5D-5L and FACT-8D with large effect sizes according to EuroQol visual analog scale groups, number of symptoms, and general health and exhibited excellent instrument-level test-retest reliability (intraclass correlations, 0.79-0.83) and acceptable responsiveness (standardized response means, |0.24| to |0.97|).

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents one of the first validations of the EQ-HWB and EQ-HWB-S in any clinical population. Both instrument versions demonstrate robust psychometric performance. The EQ-HWB-S can be recommended to inform resource allocation decisions of breast cancer treatments.

Associations between financial toxicity, health-related quality of life, and well-being in Indonesian patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

Financial toxicity (FT) is the impairment of financial well-being experienced by patients with cancer, categorized into subjective (SFT) and objective (OFT) forms. This study aimed to investigate the associations between FT, health-related quality of life, and overall well-being in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed baseline data from a single-center longitudinal study in Indonesia. Patients completed the EQ-5D-5L, EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB), COST: A FACIT Measure of Financial Toxicity (FACIT-COST, for measuring SFT), and OFT-related questions. Ordinal logistic regression was used to examine the associations between FT and selected EQ-5D-5L and EQ-HWB items. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the associations of FT and EQ-5D-5L and EQ-HWB-S index values. The main regression models were adjusted for socio-demographic and clinical factors such as age, income, metastasis status, and symptoms.

RESULTS

The survey included 300 female patients with breast cancer undergoing treatment (mean age = 51). Overall, 21% experienced high SFT (FACIT-COST ≤ 17.5) and 51% reported any OFT (e.g., incurring debt). Adjusted for covariates, higher SFT was associated with more problems in EQ-5D-5L pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, and in EQ-HWB exhaustion, anxiety, sadness/depression, frustration, pain, and discomfort. OFT was associated with more problems in exhaustion. Higher SFT was associated with lower EQ-5D-5L and EQ-HWB-S index values, with explained variances of 46.3% for EQ-HWB-S and 31.2% for EQ-5D-5L.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to explore the associations between financial toxicity, EQ-5D-5L, and EQ-HWB outcomes in breast cancer. Our findings provide insight into the cancer burden and its link to health and well-being.

The performance of the EQ-HWB-S as a measure of quality-of-life of caregivers in families that have experienced adverse events

PURPOSE

The recently developed EQ Health and Wellbeing Instrument (EQ-HWB) is a broad, generic measure of quality-of-life designed to be suitable for caregivers. The aim of this study was to investigate performance and validity of the 9-item version (EQ-HWB-S) for caregivers where families had experienced adverse-life-events.

METHODS

Using survey data from caregivers of children aged 0-8 years attending a community-health centre in 2021-2022, the general performance, feasibility, convergent and known-group validity, responsiveness-to-change, and test-retest reliability of the EQ-HWB-S was assessed. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with survey respondents to assess acceptability and content validity.

RESULTS

The sample included  234 caregivers at baseline (81% female, mean age 36-years, 38% Australian-born) and 190 at 6-months follow-up. Most EQ-HWB-S item responses were evenly spread, except for 'Mobility'. The instrument showed good convergent validity with psychological distress (Kessler 6 (K6)) and personal-wellbeing (PWI-A) scales. EQ-HWB-S level sum-scores and preference-weighted scores were significantly different in all known-group analyses, in expected directions, and the instrument was responsive to change. For test-retest reliability, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients were excellent and individual item Kappa scores were moderate. The instrument was well received by interviewees who found the questions clear and relevant. The items were appropriate for parents experiencing adversity and carers of children with additional needs.

CONCLUSION

The EQ-HWB-S appeared valid, responsive to change, feasible, and well accepted by caregivers. By demonstrating the validity of the EQ-HWB-S in this hard-to-reach population of caregivers in families experiencing adverse events, this study adds to existing international evidence supporting its use.

Exploring Social Preferences for Health and Well-Being Across the Digital Divide: A Qualitative Investigation Based on Tasks Taken From an Online Discrete Choice Experiment

OBJECTIVES

Increasingly, discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are conducted online, with little consideration of the digitally excluded, who are unable to participate. Policy makers or others considering online research data need clarity about how views might differ across this "digital divide." We took tasks from an existing online DCE designed to elicit social preferences for health and well-being outcomes. We aimed to explore (1) how telephone interview participants answered a series of choice tasks taken from an online DCE and (2) whether and how decision making for these tasks differed between digitally excluded and nonexcluded participants.

METHODS

We conducted semistructured telephone interviews with members of the public (n = 27), recruited via an existing social research panel. Data were analyzed thematically to identify key approaches to decision making.

RESULTS

Twelve participants were classed as "digitally excluded," and 15 as "digitally nonexcluded." Responses were similar between the 2 samples for most choice tasks. We identified 3 approaches used to reach decisions: (1) simplifying, (2) creating explanatory narratives, and (3) personalizing. Although these approaches were common across both samples, understanding the exercise seemed more challenging for the digitally excluded sample.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel study provides some assurance that the participants' views over the choice tasks used are similar across the digital divide. The challenges we identified with understanding highlight the need to carefully examine the views held by the digitally excluded. If online data are to inform policy making, it is essential to explore the views of those who cannot participate in online DCEs.

Valuing quality of life for economic evaluations in cancer: navigating multiple methods

INTRODUCTION

Utility values offer a quantitative means to evaluate the impact of novel cancer treatments on patients' quality of life (QoL). However, the multiple methods available for valuing QoL present challenges in selecting the most appropriate method across different contexts.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides cancer clinicians and researchers with an overview of methods to value QoL for economic evaluations, including standalone and derived preference-based measures (PBMs) and direct preference elicitation methods. Recent developments are described, including the comparative performance of cancer-specific PBMs versus generic PBMs, measurement of outcomes beyond health-related QoL, and increased use of discrete choice experiments to elicit preferences. Recommendations and considerations are provided to guide the choice of method for cancer research.

EXPERT OPINION

We foresee continued adoption of the QLU-C10D and FACT-8D in cancer clinical trials given the extensive use of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G in cancer research. While these cancer-specific PBMs offer the convenience of eliciting utility values without needing a standalone PBM, researchers should consider potential limitations if they intend to substitute them for generic PBMs. As the field advances, there is a greater need for consensus on the approach to selection and integration of various methods in cancer clinical trials.

An Exploratory Study of Alternative Time Frames and Descriptors for EQ-5D-5L in Obstructive Airway Diseases Using Mixed Methods

OBJECTIVES

EQ-5D-5L with its recall time of "today" may limit its ability to capture episodic symptoms and exacerbations in chronic obstructive airway diseases (OAD). We examined whether longer time frames and changing the intensity response scales to frequency scales could improve the measurement properties of EQ-5D-5L.

METHODS

We used a mixed-method design starting with in-depth interviews with 20 patients and clinicians to elicit preferred time frames using concept elicitation techniques and content analyses. We then administered the top 4 preferred variants using 1- and 4-weeks' time frames with the original intensity or an alternative frequency response scale alongside EQ-5D-5L and St George Respiratory Questionnaire to OAD patients during 2 different visits. We compared the ceiling effects and construct validity by testing a priori hypotheses in relation to St George Respiratory Questionnaire and clinical outcomes via correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, respectively. Follow-up patients were categorized into "better," "stable," and "worse" groups to assess reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) or Cohen's Kappa (k) and responsiveness using ROC analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 184 patients (mean [SD] age: 54[18]; female: 37.0%) completed baseline assessments. A total of 120 patients also completed follow-up assessments (mean [SD] interval: 2.8 [1.7] months). The ceilings were lower in the variants compared with EQ-5D-5L (P < .001). Reliability of the variants were comparable to or higher than EQ-5D-5L. The c-statistic values derived from ROC analyses of the variants were consistently higher than EQ-5D-5L.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of longer time frames with the original intensity or the frequency response scales may improve EQ-5D-5L's psychometric properties in OAD patients.

Appropriateness of the EQ-HWB for Use in Residential Aged Care: A Proxy Perspective

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB) is a new generic quality-of-life measure for use in evaluating interventions in health, public health and social care. This study aimed to explore proxies' views regarding the appropriateness of the EQ-HWB for measuring residents' quality of life living in residential aged care facilities.

METHODS

Qualitative think-aloud and semi-structured interviews were conducted with family members and aged care staff across three facilities in Melbourne, Australia. Proxies completed the 25-item EQ-HWB proxy version 2 (i.e. proxy-person perspective) whilst talking through the reasons for choosing their response. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The sample included 29 proxies; nine family members and 20 aged care staff. The first theme summarised proxies' ability to proxy report residents' health and well-being using the EQ-HWB, which highlighted challenges with adherence to the proxy perspective, proxies' limited knowledge about residents, disagreement with residents' self-evaluation and use of heuristics. The second theme reflected feedback on the suitability of the EQ-HWB for use in residential aged care. Although proxies perceived that the EQ-HWB covered important domains, there were concerns about ambiguity, inappropriate examples, double-barrelled items and perceived repetition. Suggestions were made to improve the response options, comprehensiveness, recall period, layout and instructions of the questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

While the EQ-HWB captures domains relevant to residential aged care, modifications to item wording and examples are necessary to improve its appropriateness. Use of the proxy-person perspective revealed some challenges that require further consideration.

Perceptions of adults with type 1 diabetes toward diabetes-specific quality of life measures: a survey-based qualitative exploration

BACKGROUND

Diabetes-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires are commonly used to assess the impact of diabetes and its management on an individual's quality of life. While several valid and reliable measures of diabetes-specific QoL exist, there is no consensus on which to use and in what setting. Furthermore, there is limited evidence of their acceptability to people with diabetes. Our aim was to explore perceptions of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) toward five diabetes-specific QoL measures.

METHODS

Adults (aged 18 + years) with T1D living in Australia or the United Kingdom (UK) were eligible to take part in 'YourSAY: QoL', an online cross-sectional survey. Recruitment involved study promotion on diabetes-related websites and social media, as well as direct invitation of people with T1D via a hospital client list (UK only). In random order, participants completed five diabetes-specific QoL measures: Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL-19); Diabetes Care Profile: Social and Personal Factors subscale (DCP); DAWN Impact of Diabetes Profile (DIDP); Diabetes-Specific Quality of Life Scale: Burden Subscale (DSQoLS); Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire (Diabetes QOL-Q). They were invited to provide feedback on each questionnaire in the form of a brief free-text response. Responses were analysed using inductive, thematic template analysis.

RESULTS

Of the N = 1,946 adults with T1D who completed the survey, 20% (UK: n = 216, Australia: n = 168) provided qualitative responses about ≥ 1 measure. All measures received both positive and negative feedback, across four themes: (1) clarity and ease of completion, e.g., difficulty isolating impact of diabetes, dislike of hypothetical questions, and preference for 'not applicable' response options; (2) relevance and comprehensiveness, e.g., inclusion of a wide range of aspects of life to improve personal relevance; (3) length and repetition, e.g., length to be balanced against respondent burden; (4) framing and tone, e.g., preference for respectful language and avoidance of extremes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest opportunities to improve the relevance and acceptability of existing diabetes-specific QoL measures, and offer considerations for developing new measures, which need to be better informed by the preferences of people living with diabetes.

Quality of life, capability well-being, financial strain and physical activity in the short- and medium-term COVID-19 post-lockdown phases in the UK: a repeated cross-sectional study

Background

The COVID-19 lockdowns had negative effects on children's and adults' mental and physical health. There is, however, a paucity of research that explores differences in health-related quality of life (HRQL) and well-being over time after the COVID-19 lockdowns had been lifted. Furlough during lockdowns, increases in unemployment, and the emerging cost-of-living crisis all put pressure on family finances, which could have a detrimental effect on HRQL and well-being. This study, part of the wider Active-6 study, explored how HRQL, capability well-being and family financial strain changed after the lockdowns, the relationship between these outcomes, and whether physical activity had any mediating effect on differences in HRQL and capability well-being.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected in May-December 2021 (Wave 1) and January-July 2022 (Wave 2). Children (aged 10-11) and their parent/carer were recruited from 23 to 27 schools in each wave, respectively, and completed validated questionnaires measuring HRQL (adults - EQ-5D-5L, children - CHU9D), capability well-being (adults - ICECAP-A) and family financial strain (adults - Family Economic Strain Scale, FESS). Children also completed questions on capability well-being. Weekday minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured using accelerometers. Mixed-effects regression models, adjusted for gender, age group (adults only), IMD and highest household education, were used to explore differences in HRQL and capability well-being between waves. In addition, the moderating effect of financial strain and the mediating effect of MVPA on HRQL and capability well-being were explored.

Results

Active-6 recruited 393 parent-child pairs in Wave 1 and 436 in Wave 2. There were no differences in HRQL (EQ-5D, CHU9D) and capability well-being (ICECAP-A) scores between waves, but financial strain was worse in Wave 2 compared to Wave 1 (FESS score difference 1.14 adjusted 95% CI 0.15 to 2.12). Increased financial strain was associated with lower (worse) EQ-5D-5L, CHU9D and ICECAP-A scores. There was no evidence of a mediating effect of MVPA.

Limitations and future work

Pre-COVID-19 data on HRQL were not collected, so analysis was limited to post-lockdown only. Participating parents were predominantly female and participation was lower among lower socio-economic groups, limiting our ability to explore inequalities. Intervention planning to increase physical activity and health and well-being during the COVID-19 recovery should consider the financial strain families are experiencing and the negative implications of financial strain on HRQL.

Conclusions

There were no differences in HRQL and capability well-being in children and adults after lockdowns lifted in 2021 and a year later in 2022. The results indicate increasing financial strain, which could reflect the UK's 'cost of living crisis'.

Funding

This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme as award number NIHR131847.

Psychometric Properties of the EQ-5D-5L in Patients with Alopecia Areata

BACKGROUND

For many decision makers in Health Technology Assessment the EQ-5D-5L is the standard measure of health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, evidence has shown the limitations of the measure in certain disease areas, including dermatology. Alopecia areata (AA) is associated with a significant HRQL impact, partly due to the emotional impact of hair loss.

OBJECTIVES

This study explores the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-5L in people with AA in reference to the short-form 36 version 2 (SF-36v2), the Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcomes (AAPPO), the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) and the Patient Global Impressions of Change (PGI-C).

METHODS

Data from participants with AA enrolled in the ALLEGRO-2b/3 trial (NCT03732807) of ritlecitinib were analysed. Participants completed the AAPPO measure (an AA-specific measure assessing emotional symptoms and activity limitations), PGI-C, EQ-5D-5L and SF-36v2 across 48-weeks of follow up. Extent of scalp hair loss was assessed using the SALT. Ceiling effects, known groups validity, convergent validity and responsiveness were examined. Known groups were defined by SALT score and a PGI-C defined response from baseline. Exploratory factor analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

Data were available from 612 adult participants. Ceiling effects were observed for the EQ-5D-5L (55.3-61.2%) and analyses suggested that the EQ-5D did not capture important differences between patients that the SF-36v2 did. The EQ-5D-5L very weakly correlated with SALT score, whereas the AAPPO correlated more strongly with the extent of hair loss. Compared with the EQ-5D-5L, the AAPPO was better able to discriminate between known groups defined by SALT and PGI-C. An exploratory factor analysis suggested that the EQ-5D-5L had limitations in content validity compared with the AAPPO.

CONCLUSIONS

The EQ-5D-5L may not adequately measure the burden of AA on patients' HRQL. Insensitivity to the burden of AA suggests that the EQ-5D-5L may not measure treatment-related benefit with hair regrowth. Data from other measures could be considered if they are shown to be more relevant.

Psychometric Performance of the EQ Health and Wellbeing Short in a United Kingdom Population Sample

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the psychometric performance and construct validity of the EQ Health and Wellbeing Short (EQ-HWB-S), using a validated measure, the EQ-5D-5L, as a comparator.

METHODS

The experimental version of the EQ-HWB-S was compared with the EQ-5D-5L to assess the psychometric performance of the measures. Data were drawn from the valuation stages of the Extending the Quality-Adjusted Life-Year project (UK general population, n = 429) and the EQ-5D-5L UK valuation pilot study (UK general population, n = 248). Construct validity was assessed based on convergent validity, using Spearman correlations and Pearson correlations. Known-group validity was assessed by estimating effect sizes to assess the ability of the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L to discriminate between known groups based on "healthy" status, presence of a long-term condition, health and life satisfaction, age, and employment status. The degree of agreement in utility values across instruments was also evaluated using Bland-Altman plots.

RESULTS

Strong associations (rs ≥ 0.5, P < .001) were found between conceptually overlapping dimensions and the utility scores of the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L. The instruments performed comparably in discriminating between known groups including healthy versus unhealthy groups (based on the visual analog scale ≥ 80), long-term condition (vs no long-term condition), and above versus below average health and life satisfaction and employed (vs unemployed and long-term sick).

CONCLUSIONS

The EQ-HWB-S performs favorably with utility values successfully discriminating between groups in which differences are expected. Convergence between the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L is evident, especially between conceptually overlapping dimensions.

On spillovers in economic evaluations: definition, mapping review and research agenda

An important issue in economic evaluations is determining whether all relevant impacts are considered, given the perspective chosen for the analysis. Acknowledging that patients are not isolated individuals has important implications in this context. Increasingly, the term "spillovers" is used to label consequences of health interventions on others. However, a clear definition of spillovers is lacking, and as a result, the scope of the concept remains unclear. In this study, we aim to clarify the concept of spillovers by proposing a definition applicable in health economic evaluations. To illustrate the implications of this definition, we highlight the diversity of potential spillovers through an expanded impact inventory and conduct a mapping review that outlines the evidence base for the different types of spillovers. In the context of economic evaluations of health interventions, we define spillovers as all impacts from an intervention on all parties or entities other than the users of the intervention under evaluation. This definition encompasses a broader range of potential costs and effects, beyond informal caregivers and family members. The expanded impact inventory enables a systematic approach to identifying broader impacts of health interventions. The mapping review shows that the relevance of different types of spillovers is context-specific. Some spillovers are regularly included in economic evaluations, although not always recognised as such, while others are not. A consistent use of the term "spillovers", improved measurement of these costs and effects, and increased transparency in reporting them are still necessary. To that end, we propose a research agenda.

Can items derived from international literature be used in national quality of life instruments? A qualitative study conceptualising the EQ-HWB in China

INTRODUCTION

The EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB) is a new questionnaire for measuring quality of life (QoL) from a broad perspective. The items of the EQ-HWB were derived based on a 'qualitative review' of literature, which reported primarily on Western studies. It can be argued that the QoL is a cultural-related concept and therefore people from China have a different understanding of the QoL. This study aimed to explore whether Chinese citizens could understand the EQ-HWB's candidate items and what they thought of those items. In doing so, we wanted to examine the face validity of the candidate items and explore if further cultural adaptation is necessary.

METHODS

This research was part of the E-QALY project, in which 36 candidate items were selected for the EQ-HWB from a 97-item pool. In China, three interviewers investigated the face validity of these EQ-HWB candidate items in semi-structured qualitative face-to-face interviews. Respondents were invited to report 'problems' with regard to the interpretation of the items and these problems were grouped into themes. We explored to what extent those themes related to specific cultural aspects in China. We also classified the rates of reported problems for each item into three groups: 1) less than 20%, 2) from 20-50%, and 3) over 50%.

RESULTS

For 17 items the rate of reported problems was less than 20%, 15 items fell into the second group (with 20 - 50%) and for 4 items the rate of problems reported was more than 50%. The thematic analysis revealed eight themes: ambiguous problems in the interpretation of 16 items; difficult to understand (11); contained a complex negative expression (10); examples used seemed inappropriate (7); misleading connotation in Chinese (2); long and complex (2); complex response options (1); and use of non-colloquial language (1).

DISCUSSION

Our research shows that EQ-HWB candidate items require careful examination to make them more comprehensible. Most of the reported problem themes were generic problems related to the items, and only a few face validity issues appeared to relate to specific cultural aspects in China, even though most of the items were based on Western studies. Our findings are reassuring for the instrument's international application, especially in China.

Creating an SF-6Dv2 social value set for New Zealand

The SF-6D health descriptive system and its second version published in 2020, the SF-6Dv2, is used worldwide for valuing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for economic evaluation and measuring patient-reported health outcomes. In this study, a valuation tool was developed and applied to create a social value set, comprising 18,750 health state values, for the SF-6Dv2 for New Zealand (NZ). This tool was adapted and extended from the one used to create a social value set for the EQ-5D-5L, a simpler health descriptive system with fewer dimensions and health states. The tool implements the PAPRIKA method, a type of adaptive discrete choice experiment, and a binary search algorithm to identify health states worse than dead and has extensive data quality controls to ensure the validity and reliability of the social value set derived from participants' personal value sets. The tool, accompanied by a short introductory video designed specifically for the SF-6Dv2, was distributed via an online survey to a large representative sample of adult New Zealanders in June-July 2022. The tool's data quality controls enabled participants who failed to understand or sincerely engage with the valuation tasks to be identified and excluded, resulting in the participants being pared down to a sub-sample of 2985 'high-quality' participants whose personal value sets were averaged for the social value set. These results, including participants' positive feedback, demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of using the tool to value larger health descriptive systems such as the SF-6Dv2. Having successfully created an SF-6Dv2 social value set for NZ, the valuation tool can be readily applied to other countries, used to generate personal value sets for personalised medicine and adapted to create value sets for other health descriptive systems.

Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is heterogeneous and inconsistent. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework of HRQoL in ALS and (2) map the content of existing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used in ALS to this novel framework.

METHODS

Our model of HRQoL in ALS (Health-related Quality of life in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, QuALS) was developed from a systematic literature review and consultative input from key stakeholders (patients, carers, and health care professionals). Five electronic databases were searched in April 2022. Primary studies of any design that assessed HRQoL in ALS by using a multi-item PROM and/or qualitative methods were identified. Using an a priori framework, HRQoL themes were extracted and iteratively modified from the content of each PROM and qualitative study quotations identified in the literature. The conceptual framework was ratified by stakeholders with lived experience and clinical experts. The QuALS framework was used to map the content of identified PROMs and qualitative studies based on thematic coverage.

RESULTS

QuALS covers 3 high-level domains of HRQoL (physical, psychological, and social functioning) and consists of 7 themes (Activities; Physical Health; Autonomy; Cognition; Feelings and Emotions; Self-identity; Relationships), characterized by 42 subthemes. Of 8,220 studies identified, 274 were included in the review that informed QuALS. In these studies, 111 PROMs were used to assess at least 1 aspect of HRQoL, and 11 studies used qualitative methods. Of the 3 high-level domains, physical functioning was the most commonly assessed, particularly within ALS-specific PROMs where almost one-quarter of PROMs exclusively assessed physical functioning. None of the PROMs or qualitative studies identified assessed all aspects of HRQoL in the QuALS framework.

DISCUSSION

This study presents a new comprehensive conceptual framework of HRQoL in ALS (QuALS), informed by a robust systematic review of existing literature and stakeholder input, incorporating lived experience. QuALS provides a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians interested in taking a holistic approach to assessing and understanding the full impact of ALS on HRQoL and how this may be affected by treatments.

Construct Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness of the 10-Item Well-Being Instrument for Use in Economic Evaluation Studies

OBJECTIVES

Economic evaluations of interventions in health and social care require outcome measures that capture their full benefits, including those beyond health. This study aimed to assess construct validity, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness of the newly developed 10-item Well-being instrument (WiX).

METHODS

Data were gathered via an online survey in a representative sample of the adult general population in The Netherlands (N = 1045). Construct validity was assessed by inspecting convergent, structural, and discriminant validity, following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments methodology. Regression analyses of the WiX and its items on other validated measures of well-being were performed to assess the convergent validity of the instrument and the relevance of its items. Dimensionality of the WiX was assessed using exploratory factor analysis. To assess discriminant validity, several hypotheses in terms of well-being differences were assessed. Finally, a second survey was sent out 2 weeks after the initial survey (n = 563; 53.9% response rate) to assess the test-retest reliability and responsiveness of the WiX.

RESULTS

The WiX showed to be correlated with alternative well-being measures as expected and able to sufficiently differentiate between relevant subgroups in the population. Moreover, the dimensionality analysis indicated that the WiX captures a broad array of elements relevant to well-being, including physical and mental health. The test-retest reliability was good, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.82.

CONCLUSIONS

The results regarding the WiX are favorable and indicate that this new instrument may be a promising alternative for existing measures of well-being for evaluating interventions in health and social care.

A Head-to-Head Comparison of EQ-HWB and EQ-5D-5L in Patients, Carers, and General Public in China

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to understand the psychometric properties of EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB) and to examine its relationship with EQ-5D-5L in a sample covering patients, carers, and general public.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guizhou Province, China. The acceptability, convergent validity (using Spearman correlation coefficients), internal structure (using exploratory factor analysis), and known-group validity of EQ-HWB, EQ-HWB-Short (EQ-HWB-S), and EQ-5D-5L were reported and compared.

RESULTS

A total of 323 participants completed the survey, including 106 patients, 101 carers, and 116 individuals from the general public. Approximately 7.4% of participants had at least 1 missing response. In the EQ-HWB and EQ-5D-5L items related to activities, there were more level 1 responses. The correlations between EQ-HWB and EQ-5D-5L items ranged from low to high, confirming the convergent validity of similar aspects between the 2 instruments. Notably, EQ-HWB measures 2 additional factors compared with EQ-5D-5L or EQ-HWB-S, both of which share 3 common factors. When the patient group was included, EQ-5D-5L had the largest effect size, but it failed to differentiate between the groups of general public and carers. Both EQ-HWB and EQ-HWB-S demonstrated better known-group validity results when carers were included.

CONCLUSIONS

EQ-HWB measures a broader quality of life construct that goes beyond health measured by EQ-5D-5L. By encompassing a broader scope, the impact of healthcare interventions may become diluted, given that other factors can influence well-being outcomes as significantly as health conditions do.

From Health to Well-Being: Toward a Monetary Valuation of a Well-Being-Adjusted Life-Year

OBJECTIVES

Economic evaluations using broader measures to capture benefits beyond improved health can inform policy making, but only if the monetary value of gains measured using these instruments is understood. This study explored contingent valuation as a method to estimate the monetary value of a well-being-adjusted life-year (WALY) as measured by ICEpop Capability Measure for Adults (ICECAP-A).

METHODS

In a large online survey of representative samples from 7 European countries, participants valued a change in the ICECAP-A from their current health state to a randomly assigned hypothetical state. Participants were instructed that an unspecified treatment could avoid a loss or produce a gain in well-being and were asked for their willingness to pay (WTP) for this treatment. WTP per WALY was calculated using an aggregated approach that used ICECAP-A tariffs from the United Kingdom.

RESULTS

We analyzed a sample of 7428 observations, focusing on avoided losses (n = 6002) because the results for gains were not theoretically valid. Different cutoff points for a marginal change were explored. Depending on the definition of a marginal change, WTP per WALY averaged between €13 323.28 and €61 375.63 for avoided losses between [0, 0.5] and [0, 0.1], respectively, for 1 month. Mean WTP per WALY varied across the countries as follows: Denmark (€17 867.93-€88 634.14), France (€10 278.35-€45 581.28), Germany (€12 119.39-€54 566.56), Italy (€11 753.69-€52 161.25), The Netherlands (€14 612.88-€58 951.74), Spain (€11 904.12-€57 909.17), and United Kingdom (€13 133.75-€68 455.85).

CONCLUSION

Despite the inherent limitations of our study, it offers valuable insights into methods for eliciting the WTP for changes in capability well-being as measured with ICECAP-A.

Comparison of the EQ-HWB and EQ-HWB-S With Other Preference-Based Measures Among United States Informal Caregivers

OBJECTIVES

Several measures have been used or developed to capture the health and well-being of caregivers, including the EQ Health and Well-being (EQ-HWB) and its short form, EQ-HWB-S. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and construct validity of the EQ-HWB/EQ-HWB-S in a US caregiver population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 504 caregivers. Eligible participants were 18+ years old, provided unpaid care to a relative/friend aged 18+ in the past 6 months, and spent on average of at least 1 hour per week caregiving. Survey included the following measures: EQ-HWB, Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for Carers-Carer, CarerQol, and EQ-5D-5L. Psychometric properties were assessed using response distributions, floor/ceiling effects, Spearman's correlation for convergent validity, and effect sizes (ES) for known-group validity based on caregiving situations and intensity.

RESULTS

The average age of caregivers was 49.2 (SD = 15.4), with 57.5% being female. More than half (54.4%) reported high caregiving intensity, and 68.3% lived with the care recipient. The EQ-HWB-S index showed a strong positive correlation with the EQ-5D-5L (rs = 0.72), Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for Carers (rs = 0.54), and CarerQol (rs = 0.54) indices. Notably, the EQ-HWB-S index showed the largest ES among measures in differentiating caregiving scenarios with a large ES for caregiver's general health (d = 1.00) and small ES for caregiving intensity (d = 0.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Results support construct validity of EQ-HWB and EQ-HWB-S as measures for assessing health and well-being of adult informal caregivers in comparison with other validated instruments. Differing levels of known-group validity across anchors emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate measures for caregivers, depending on research question and/or intervention aims.

The Measurement Properties of the EQ-HWB and the EQ-HWB-S in Italian Population: A Comparative Study With EQ-5D-5L

OBJECTIVES

The EQ Health and Well-being, EQ-HWB (25-item) and the EQ-HWB-S (9-item), are new generic measures of health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the measurement properties of the EQ-HWB and EQ-HWB-S measures in relation to the EQ-5D-5L among the Italian general population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2020 to February 2021, followed by secondary analysis of collected data from Italian adults. This analysis included response pattern distributions, correlation strength, and known-group comparison. Known-group comparison was assessed using effect sizes (ES) across health conditions, caregiver status, and social care usage. The EQ-HWB-S index-based score was based on the UK pilot value set, whereas the Italian value set was used for scoring the EQ-5D-5L index.

RESULTS

Out of the 1182 participants, 461 reported having a chronic condition, 185 identified as caregivers, and 42 were social care users. EQ-HWB items (7.5%) showed fewer ceiling effects than EQ-5D-5L items (34.7%). Strong correlations (rs > 0.5) were found between overlapping EQ-HWB and EQ-5D-5L items. EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L index scores demonstrated similar discrimination based on symptomatic chronic conditions (ES d = 0.68 vs d = 0.71), but EQ-HWB-S had slightly higher ES for social care users (ES d = 0.84 vs d = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Initial evidence supports the validity of EQ-HWB/EQ-HWB-S because outcome measures in the Italian population. EQ-HWB-S performed comparably to EQ-5D-5L among patients and was better in differentiating social care users. A slight decrease in discriminative properties for caregivers was observed when transitioning from EQ-HWB to EQ-HWB-S.

Understanding caregiver burden from multiple perspectives: dyadic agreement between caregiver and care recipient

PURPOSE

Caregiver burden (CB) is typically self-assessed by caregivers. However, an emerging concept is assessment of CB by the recipients of care, i.e., the patient. The specific objectives are (1) to assess the level of agreement between care recipients' and caregivers' view on CB, across financial, physical, emotional, and social domains; (2) to explore two care recipient perspectives: their self-perceived burden (CR-SPB), and their interpretation of the caregiver's view (Proxy-CB).

METHODS

Data were collected from 504 caregiver-care recipient dyads in the U.S. using an online Qualtrics panel. The survey assessed caregiver burden using CarerQol and newly developed items. The level of agreement between responses was quantified using weighted kappa (κ) coefficients for individual items and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for index/summary scores.

RESULTS

The average age of caregivers was 49.2 years, and 62.7 years for care recipients. Dyads most commonly consisted of spouses/partners (34.5%); 68.3% lived together. Proxy-CB aligned more closely with caregiver's view, with moderate to substantial agreement across CB domains (from κ = 0.48 for emotional to κ = 0.66 for financial). In the same perspective, the CarerQol-7D Index showed moderate agreement (ICC = 0.58) and the summary score of CB items substantial agreement (ICC = 0.76). Care recipients generally overestimated  CB in the Proxy-CB perspective, while they underestimated it in the CR-SPB perspective.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate there is a difference between perspectives. Strong agreement in Proxy-CB perspective suggests that care recipients can potentially substitute for caregivers depending on the domain. CR-SPB agrees less with caregivers and may provide complementary information.

The Validity of the EuroQol Health and Wellbeing Short Version (EQ-HWB-S) Instrument in Parents of Children With and Without Health Conditions

BACKGROUND

 The EuroQol Health and Wellbeing Short Version (EQ-HWB-S) instrument has been developed to measure the health and wellbeing of care-recipients and their caregivers for use in economic evaluation.The EQ-HWB-S has nine items, and pilot UK preference weights have now been developed.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the validity of the instrument in parents of children with and without health conditions.

METHODS

EQ-HWB-S data were sourced from an Australian paediatric multi-instrument comparison study. We analysed the baseline characteristics and response distribution of the EQ-HWB-S items. Assessment of known-group validity was conducted for EQ-HWB-S items, level sum-scores and preference-weighted scores, including partial effects. Known-group analyses included three child health variables and where caregivers reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had impacted their wellbeing. We included analyses across gender, controlled for child and parent demographic variables, and compared scores across child health conditions.

RESULTS

 Item responses were distributed as expected, with higher skew for mobility and activities. Parents experienced high levels of exhaustion. We detected significant differences between groups for level sum-scores and preference-weighted scores, as hypothesised; all tests were significant (p < 0.001), with moderate effect sizes (effect sizes were slightly higher for female than male parents). The regression analysis identified significantly different EQ-HWB-S scores for child health samples compared with the general population after controlling for demographic variables. Differences were observed between child health conditions.

CONCLUSION

The EQ-HWB-S is a useful instrument to measure parent quality of life for economic evaluation in this population. Data were limited to one time point; further research should investigate the instrument's sensitivity to change and test-retest reliability in this population.

A scoping review to create a framework for the steps in developing condition-specific preference-based instruments de novo or from an existing non-preference-based instrument: use of item response theory or Rasch analysis

BACKGROUND

There is no widely accepted framework to guide the development of condition-specific preference-based instruments (CSPBIs) that includes both de novo and from existing non-preference-based instruments. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by reviewing the published literature on CSPBIs, with particular attention to the application of item response theory (IRT) and Rasch analysis in their development.

METHODS

A scoping review of the literature covering the concepts of all phases of CSPBI development and evaluation was performed from MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to December 30, 2022.

RESULTS

The titles and abstracts of 1,967 unique references were reviewed. After retrieving and reviewing 154 full-text articles, data were extracted from 109 articles, representing 41 CSPBIs covering 21 diseases or conditions. The development of CSPBIs was conceptualized as a 15-step framework, covering four phases: 1) develop initial questionnaire items (when no suitable non-preference-based instrument exists), 2) establish the dimensional structure, 3) reduce items per dimension, 4) value and model health state utilities. Thirty-nine instruments used a type of Rasch model and two instruments used IRT models in phase 3.

CONCLUSION

We present an expanded framework that outlines the development of CSPBIs, both from existing non-preference-based instruments and de novo when no suitable non-preference-based instrument exists, using IRT and Rasch analysis. For items that fit the Rasch model, developers selected one item per dimension and explored item response level reduction. This framework will guide researchers who are developing or assessing CSPBIs.

Scoring the EQ-HWB-S: can we do it without value sets? A non-parametric item response theory analysis

BACKGROUND

Only one pilot value set (UK) is currently available for the EQ Health and Wellbeing Instrument short version (EQ-HWB-S). As an alternative to preference-weighted scoring, we examined whether a level summary score (LSS) is appropriate for the EQ-HWB-S using Mokken scaling analyses.

METHODS

Data from patients, carers and the general population collected during the developmental phase of the EQ-HWB-S in Australia, US and UK were used, noting 3 of 9 items have since undergone revision. EQ-HWB-S data fit was examined using R package Mokken scaling's monotone homogeneity model, utilizing the automated item selection procedure (AISP) as well as Loevinger's scaling coefficients for items and the scale (HS). Manifest monotonicity was assessed by examining whether the cumulative probability for responses at or above each response level did not decrease across the summary score.

RESULTS

EQ-HWB-S data were available for 3340 respondents: US = 903, Australia = 514 and UK = 1923. Mean age was 50 ± 18 and 1841 (55%) were female. AISP placed all 9 items of the EQ-HWB-S on a single scale when the lower bound was set to < 0.448. Strong scalability (HS = 0.561) was found for the EQ-HWB-S as a single scale. Stronger scales were formed by separating the psychosocial items (n = 6, HS = 0.683) and physical sensation items (n = 3, HS = 0.713). No violations of monotonicity were found except for the items mobility and daily activities for the subgroups with long-term conditions and UK subjects, respectively.

DISCUSSION

As EQ-HWB-S items formed a strong scale and subscales based on Mokken analysis, LSS is a promising weighting-free approach to scoring.

Exploring health preference heterogeneity in the UK: Using the online elicitation of personal utility functions approach to construct EQ-5D-5L value functions on societal, group and individual level

A new method has recently been developed for valuing health states, called 'Online elicitation of Personal Utility Functions' (OPUF). In contrast to established methods, such as time trade-off or discrete choice experiments, OPUF does not require hundreds of respondents, but allows estimating utility functions for small groups and even at the individual level. In this study, we used OPUF to elicit EQ-5D-5L health state preferences from a (not representative) sample of the UK general population, and then compared utility functions on the societal-, group-, and individual level. A demo version of the survey is available at: https://eq5d5l.me. Data from 874 respondents were included in the analysis. For each respondent, we constructed a personal EQ-5D-5L value set. These personal value sets predicted respondents' choices in three hold-out discrete choice tasks with an accuracy of 78%. Overall, preferences varied greatly between individuals. However, PERMANOVA analysis showed that demographic characteristics explained only a small proportion of the variability between subgroups. While OPUF is still under development, it has important strengths: it can be used to construct value sets for patient reported outcome instruments such as EQ-5D-5L, while also allowing examination of underlying preferences in an unprecedented level of detail. In the future, OPUF could be used to complement existing methods, allowing valuation studies in smaller samples, and providing more detailed insights into the heterogeneity of preferences across subgroups.

Paving the path for implementation of clinical genomic sequencing globally: Are we ready?

Despite the emerging evidence in recent years, successful implementation of clinical genomic sequencing (CGS) remains limited and is challenged by a range of barriers. These include a lack of standardized practices, limited economic assessments for specific indications, limited meaningful patient engagement in health policy decision-making, and the associated costs and resource demand for implementation. Although CGS is gradually becoming more available and accessible worldwide, large variations and disparities remain, and reflections on the lessons learned for successful implementation are sparse. In this commentary, members of the Global Economics and Evaluation of Clinical Genomics Sequencing Working Group (GEECS) describe the global landscape of CGS in the context of health economics and policy and propose evidence-based solutions to address existing and future barriers to CGS implementation. The topics discussed are reflected as two overarching themes: (1) system readiness for CGS and (2) evidence, assessments, and approval processes. These themes highlight the need for health economics, public health, and infrastructure and operational considerations; a robust patient- and family-centered evidence base on CGS outcomes; and a comprehensive, collaborative, interdisciplinary approach.

Health state utility estimates for value assessments of novel treatments in Huntington's disease: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a devastating impact on patients and their families. Quantifying how treatments affect patient outcomes is critical for informing reimbursement decisions. Many countries mandate a formal value assessment in which the treatment benefit is measured as quality-adjusted life-years, calculated with the use of utility estimates that reflect respondents' preferences for health states.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize published health state utility data in HD and identify gaps and uncertainties in the data available that could be used to inform value assessments.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature review of studies that used preference-based instruments (e.g., EQ-5D and SF-6D) to estimate utility values for people with HD. The studies were published between January 2012 and December 2022.

RESULTS

Of 383 articles screened, 16 articles reported utility values estimated in 11 distinct studies. The utility measure most frequently reported was EQ-5D (9/11 studies). Two studies reported SF-6D data; one used time trade-off methods to value health state descriptions (vignettes). Although utility scores generally worsened to a lower value with increased HD severity, the estimates varied considerably across studies. The EQ-5D index range was 0.89 - 0.72 for mild/prodromal HD and 0.71 - 0.37 for severe/late-stage disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This study uncovered high variability in published utility estimates, indicating substantial uncertainty in existing data. Further research is needed to better understand preferences and valuation across all stages and domains of HD symptoms and the degree to which generic utility measures capture the impact of cognitive changes on quality of life.

Exploring the Comparability Between EQ-5D and the EQ Health and Wellbeing in the General Australian Population

OBJECTIVES

The EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB) is a novel measure that conceptually overlaps with the 5-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) while capturing broader dimensions of health and well-being. This study aimed to explore the extent to which the EQ-HWB and EQ-5D-5L capture overlapping or complementary constructs and to explore the discriminative ability of the EQ-HWB Short version (EQ-HWB-S) as a multiattribute utility instrument in the Australian setting.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 2002 Australian adults was performed. The survey included socioeconomic questions and health characteristics and the EQ-HWB and EQ-5D-5L instruments. Convergent and known-group validity were evaluated through Spearman rank correlation and multivariable regression analyses, respectively. An exploratory factor analysis was also performed to explore the underlying constructs of the 2 measures.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients varied from moderate to strong (rs ≥ 0.40) between the EQ-5D-5L and the corresponding EQ-HWB dimensions (all P < .001). Based on the exploratory factor analysis, both instruments measure similar underlying constructs, with the EQ-HWB capturing broader aspects of well-being. The known-group analysis demonstrated the relative discriminative ability of the EQ-HWB-S in capturing broader aspects of health and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

The EQ-HWB was at least moderately correlated with the EQ-5D-5L in overlapping domains/dimensions and demonstrated greater sensitivity in participants with mental health problems versus the EQ-5D-5L. Our findings support future research exploring the value of the EQ-HWB-S as a multiattribute utility instrument for the general Australian population.

Development of the What Matters 2 Adults (WM2A) wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

PURPOSE

As wellbeing is culturally bound, wellbeing measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be culturally relevant and grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and preferences. We describe the development of a nationally-relevant and culturally grounded wellbeing measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: the What Matters to Adults (WM2A) measure.

METHODS

We used a mixed methods approach to measure development, combining Indigenist methodologies and psychometric methods. Candidate items were derived through a large national qualitative study. Think-aloud interviews (n = 17) were conducted to assess comprehension, acceptability, and wording of candidate items. Two national surveys collected data on the item pool (n = 312, n = 354). Items were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and item response theory (IRT) to test dimensionality, local dependence and item fit. A Collaborative Yarning approach ensured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices were privileged throughout.

RESULTS

Fifty candidate items were developed, refined, and tested. Using EFA, an eight factor model was developed. All items met pre-specified thresholds for maximum endorsement frequencies, and floor and ceiling effects; no item redundancy was identified. Ten items did not meet thresholds for aggregate adjacent endorsement frequencies. During Collaborative Yarning, six items were removed based on low factor loadings (<0.4) and twelve due to conceptual overlap, high correlations with other items, endorsement frequencies, and/or low IRT item level information. Several items were retained for content validity. The final measure includes 32 items across 10 domains (Balance & control; Hope & resilience; Caring for others; Culture & Country; Spirit & identity; Feeling valued; Connection with others; Access; Racism & worries; Pride & strength).

CONCLUSIONS

The unique combination of Indigenist and psychometric methodologies to develop WM2A ensures a culturally and psychometrically robust measure, relevant across a range of settings and applications.

A Comparison of Items and Constructs of Standardized Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Well-Being Measures

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the internal constructs of the concepts being measured by EQ-5D-5L (a health-related quality of life measure that can produce preference-based utility values) and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12, a mental well-being measure) and to understand to what extent the items of EQ-5D-5L and GHQ-12 associate with each other.

METHODS

We used data from 12 701 respondents participating in a Belgian survey in 2022. Correlation coefficients between GHQ-12 and EQ-5D-5L were calculated at both the aggregate and item levels. Multidimensional scaling, exploratory factor analysis, and regression models were performed to investigate the underlying constructs that are associated with the items.

RESULTS

Despite a moderate correlation (0.39) between the EQ-5D-5L and GHQ-12 total scores, only a trivial or weak correlation (<0.3) was observed between the first 4 EQ-5D-5L items and any GHQ-12 item. Multidimensional scaling and exploratory factor analysis showed the first 4 EQ-5D-5L dimensions were clustered together with EuroQol visual analog scale and positively phrased GHQ-12 items were close to each other, whereas EQ-anxiety/depression and negatively phrased GHQ-12 items were grouped with overall life satisfaction. In the regression models, not all GHQ-12 items had a significant coefficient to predict EQ-5D-5L responses.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, we present the first comparison of items and underlying constructs of GHQ-12 and EQ-5D-5L. The results showed that GHQ-12 can only partially predict the responses of EQ-5D-5L and the 2 instruments measure different constructs. Researchers should carefully consider conceptual legitimacy while applying the mapping technique and consider sensitivity analyses for the mapping estimates.

Exploring the measurement of health related quality of life and broader instruments: A dimensionality analysis

BACKGROUND

Comprehensively measuring the outcomes of interventions and policy programmes impacting both health and broader areas of quality of life (QoL) is important for decision-making within and across sectors. Increasingly, broad QoL measures are being developed to capture outcomes beyond health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Jointly exploring the dimensionality of diverse instruments can improve our understanding about their evaluative space and how they conceptually build on each other. This study explored the measurement relationship between five broader QoL measures and the most widely used HRQoL measure, the EQ-5D.

METHODS

Participants from the Dutch general population (n = 1002) completed six instruments (n = 126 items) in December of 2020. The measurement relationship was explored using qualitative and quantitative dimensionality assessment methods. This included a content analysis and exploratory factor analyses which were used to develop a confirmatory factor model of the broader QoL dimensions. Correlations between the identified dimensions and self-reported overall health and wellbeing were also explored.

RESULTS

The final CFA model exhibited acceptable/good fit and described 12 QoL dimensions: 'psychological symptoms', 'social relations', 'physical functioning', 'emotional resilience', 'pain', 'cognition', 'financial needs', 'discrimination', 'outlook on life/growth', 'access to public services', 'living environment', and 'control over life'. All dimensions were positively correlated to self-reported health and wellbeing, but the magnitudes in associations varied considerably (e.g., 'pain' had the strongest correlation with overall health but a weak correlation with wellbeing).

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to a broader understanding of QoL by exploring the dimensionality and relationships among various QoL measures. A number of the dimensions identified are HRQoL-focused, with others covering broader constructs. Our findings offer insights for the development of comprehensive instruments, or use of instrument suites that capture multidimensional aspects of QoL. Further research should explore the relevance and feasibility/appropriateness of measuring the identified dimensions in different settings and populations.

Using the Online Elicitation of Personal Utility Functions Approach to Derive a Patient-Based 5-Level Version of EQ-5D Value Set: A Study in 122 Patients With Rheumatic Diseases From Germany

OBJECTIVES

Traditional preference elicitation methods, such as discrete choice experiments or time trade-off, usually require large sample sizes. This can limit their applicability in patient populations, where recruiting enough participants can be challenging. The objective of this study was to test a new method, called the Online elicitation of Personal Utility Functions (OPUF) approach, to derive an EQ-5D-5L value set from a relatively small sample of patients with rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

OPUF is a new type of online survey that implements compositional preference elicitation techniques. Central to the method are 3 valuation steps: (1) dimension weighting, (2) level rating, and (3) anchoring. An English demo version of the OPUF survey can be accessed at https://valorem.health/eq5d5l. From the responses, a personal EQ-5D-5L utility function can be constructed for each participant, and a group-level value set can be derived by aggregating model coefficients across participants.

RESULTS

A total of 122 patients with rheumatic disease from Germany completed the OPUF survey. The survey was generally well received; most participants completed the survey in less than 20 minutes and were able to derive a full EQ-5D-5L value set. The precision of mean coefficients was high, despite the small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that OPUF can be used to derive an EQ-5D-5L value set from a relatively small sample of patients. Although the method is still under development, we think that it has the potential to be a valuable preference elicitation tool and to complement traditional methods in several areas.

Examining how well economic evaluations capture the value of mental health

Health economics evidence informs health-care decision making, but the field has historically paid insufficient attention to mental health. Economic evaluations in health should define an appropriate scope for benefits and costs and how to value them. This Health Policy provides an overview of these processes and considers to what extent they capture the value of mental health. We suggest that although current practices are both transparent and justifiable, they have distinct limitations from the perspective of mental health. Most social value judgements, such as the exclusion of interindividual outcomes and intersectoral costs, diminish the value of improving mental health, and this reduction in value might be disproportionate compared with other types of health. Economic analyses might have disadvantaged interventions that improve mental health compared with physical health, but research is required to test the size of such differential effects and any subsequent effect on decision-making systems such as health technology assessment systems. Collaboration between health economics and the mental health sciences is crucial for achieving mental-physical health parity in evaluative frameworks and, ultimately, improving population mental health.

Recommendations for Emerging Good Practice and Future Research in Relation to Family and Caregiver Health Spillovers in Health Economic Evaluations: A Report of the SHEER Task Force

BACKGROUND

Omission of family and caregiver health spillovers from the economic evaluation of healthcare interventions remains common practice. When reported, a high degree of methodological inconsistency in incorporating spillovers has been observed.

AIM

To promote emerging good practice, this paper from the Spillovers in Health Economic Evaluation and Research (SHEER) task force aims to provide guidance on the incorporation of family and caregiver health spillovers in cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis. SHEER also seeks to inform the basis for a spillover research agenda and future practice.

METHODS

A modified nominal group technique was used to reach consensus on a set of recommendations, representative of the views of participating subject-matter experts. Through the structured discussions of the group, as well as on the basis of evidence identified during a review process, recommendations were proposed and voted upon, with voting being held over two rounds.

RESULTS

This report describes 11 consensus recommendations for emerging good practice. SHEER advocates for the incorporation of health spillovers into analyses conducted from a healthcare/health payer perspective, and more generally inclusive perspectives such as a societal perspective. Where possible, spillovers related to displaced/foregone activities should be considered, as should the distributional consequences of inclusion. Time horizons ought to be sufficient to capture all relevant impacts. Currently, the collection of primary spillover data is preferred and clear justification should be provided when using secondary data. Transparency and consistency when reporting on the incorporation of health spillovers are crucial. In addition, given that the evidence base relating to health spillovers remains limited and requires much development, 12 avenues for future research are proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Consideration of health spillovers in economic evaluations has been called for by researchers and policymakers alike. Accordingly, it is hoped that the consensus recommendations of SHEER will motivate more widespread incorporation of health spillovers into analyses. The developing nature of spillover research necessitates that this guidance be viewed as an initial roadmap, rather than a strict checklist. Moreover, there is a need for balance between consistency in approach, where valuable in a decision making context, and variation in application, to reflect differing decision maker perspectives and to support innovation.