Short Description
This project consists of two frameworks: INFRAM - Intervention Framework and PACO - Model for payment system comparison. They address possible interventions and evaluations of different strategies.
Objectives Achieved
In this project following objective were achieved:
a) the development of a flexible generic framework for testing of public health interventions (e.g. analysis of the cost-effectiveness of screening programs, evaluation of the consequences of prevention, assessment of the impact of therapy, simulation of vaccination programs), called INFRAM, which was also put to use as a prototype for the evaluation of screening programs,
b) creation of a model for the comparison of reimbursement systems and (potentially) the impact of other organizational interventions (PACO), and
c) development of prognoses for the impact of the planned stepped-care approach to medical care (“Versorgungsstufenkonzept”).
Methodology
We developed a concept for a modular model for assessment of the impact of various public health interventions on a set of diseases. To achieve this, we needed to find a classification of diseases which was suitable for developing appropriate modules for simulating the typical disease progression in the respective classes. This concept can now be used, for example, to evaluate screening programs for specific non-communicable chronic diseases (e.g. colon cancer).
Work processes, technical methods and presentation techniques for visualizing outcomes have been developed. The main focus was set on presenting standardized outcome measures (e.g., life years gained, costs and cost-effectiveness) in an easily understandable and intuitive way, making the results more accessible to decision makers and the public.
Furthermore, a dynamic simulation model that allows for the comparison of the impact of different reimbursement systems (e.g., on health care costs) will be developed (PACO) was developed. This task was closely linked to other DEXHELPP projects like "Project 3 - Burden of Disease" (e.g. multi-morbidities) and "Project 4 - Pathways of Service Utilization" (e.g. prioritized pathways). Especially the impact of the "stepped-care" approach on the healthcare system was investigated.
Project Results
The developed frameworks enable to understand the impact of public health interventions, reimbursement systems, and other organizational interventions in a generic way, which accelerates decision support and potentially reduces its costs. The innovative target-group oriented presentation and visualization concepts of results also facilitate communication of the acquired knowledge.