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Originally published on May 15, 2008.
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POSITION PAPER

Information on Cost-Effectiveness: An Essential Product of a National Comparative Effectiveness Program

right arrow American College of Physicians*

17 June 2008 | Volume 148 Issue 12 | Pages 956-961

The American College of Physicians recently highlighted the need to provide increased information comparing the effectiveness of health care interventions to ensure the rational and effective practice of medicine. Comparative effectiveness refers to the evaluation of the relative clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost of 2 or more medical services, drugs, devices, therapies, or procedures used to treat the same condition. The College further recommended the establishment of an adequately funded, trusted national entity that should prioritize, sponsor, or produce both comparative clinical and cost-effectiveness data.

This article addresses the need for the proposed entity to develop cost-effectiveness information. It examines the current reluctance to develop and use cost-effectiveness in the United States; it argues for the importance of this information for all health care stakeholders; and it makes specific recommendations regarding how this information can best be made available and used for the good of the public and our patients.

Author and Article Information
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Requests for Single Reprints: Customer Service, American College of Physicians, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

* This paper, written by Neil Kirschner, PhD; Stephen G. Pauker, MD; and Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, was developed in part for the Medical Services Committee of the American College of Physicians (ACP): Joseph W. Stubbs, MD (Chair); Mary M. Newman, MD (Vice Chair); Peter Basch, MD; Yul D. Ejnes, MD; Jeannine Z. Engel, MD; Stephen D. Fihn, MD, MPH; Susan H. Gunn, MD; William R. Hersh, MD; Michael D. Lahey, MD; J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD; Eric M. Mazur, MD; Stephen G. Pauker, MD; and Michael C. Sha, MD. Approved by the ACP Board of Regents on 13 January 2008.


Related articles in Annals:

Editorials
A Menu without Prices
Alan M. Garber
Annals 2008 148: 964-966. [Full Text]  

Editorials
Cost-Effectiveness Information: Yes, It's Important, but Keep It Separate, Please!
Gail R. Wilensky
Annals 2008 148: 967-968. [Full Text]  



This article has been cited by other articles:


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Cost-Effectiveness Information: Yes, It's Important, but Keep It Separate, Please!
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[Full Text] [PDF]

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

National Comparative Effectiveness Program-Issues for Clinical Practice
Arvind R Cavale
Annals Online, 20 May 2008 [Full text]
Response to Editorials on "Information on Cost Effectiveness" Position Paper
Neil M Kirschner, et al.
Annals Online, 19 Jun 2008 [Full text]
Cost-effectiveness is very important in marginal benefit situations
Robert A. Murden, et al.
Annals Online, 15 Jul 2008 [Full text]



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