Table 3

Investigative issues associated with the chosen health care practices

Health Care Technology/Practice
Setting
Interest from methodological and policy perspectives*
Key Issues

ART ≥ 42 years of age
Clinic or Hospital
Harmful x
Clinically Effective x
Cost Effective ?
Appropriate ?
Socially Valued √
Universally Accessible ?/x
Ethical ?
- Marginal clinical and cost-effectiveness (on population basis) but limiting its use poses problems: it is highly beneficial from perspective of concerned individuals
- Therapy has equivocal purpose
- Highly valued by recipients and potentially by society broadly
- Ability to pay: user vs society
- Equity of access
- Medical vs social infertility
- Opportunity cost
Upper airway surgery for adult OSA
Surgical Theatre
Harmful ?
Clinically Effective ?/x
Effective Alternative √
Cost Effective x
Appropriate ?
Necessary ?
Socially Valued ?/√
Ethical ?
- Limiting its use should not, in theory, pose any problems, but pressures are strong from clinical interest groups
- Complex practice paradigms/incentives
- Small, homogeneous craft group
- Equipoise/clinical uncertainty
- Perspectives of patients who value the potential of a surgical 'fix'
- Is this preference based on sound evidence or supplier induced demand?
- Opportunity cost

*Key: ? = Unsure or in question; x = Limited or evidence in the negative; √ = Evidence in the positive

Elshaug et al. Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2007 4:23   doi:10.1186/1743-8462-4-23