Objective The project will provide a methodology for evaluation of cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of rehabilitation technologies and will then validate the methodology.The objective of the study is to develop a methodology for evaluation of rehabilitation technologies with regard to costs for society and benefits to the consumer/end-user. The concept of impairment, disability and handicap are key issues.Subgoals of the study are to create a common reference and increased awareness of the potential of socio-economic evaluation of rehabilitation technology; to gather information from TIDE consortia and use this expertise to refine and propose a tool; and to test and validate the tool by implementation in TIDE and possibly other programmes.National authorities need information to show that rehabilitation technology is cost-effective. For the different actors on the demand and supply side there is a need for information not only on productivity but also on efficiency i.e. utility generated for the end-user versus resource use. Key issues regarding efficiency are independent living, satisfaction and quality of life (utility).Technical Approach : The development of the evaluation method consists of four steps:1. Definition of critical factors related to general outcomes of rehabilitation technology : the main focus is on outcomes integrating consumer benefits and disadvantages - utility analyses and the concept of quality of life are therefore central issues.2. Development of an evaluation method : cost, function - physical, mental, emotional and social performance, quality of life, satisfaction, activity patterns, degree of self determination, and access to community services are key issues.3. Retrospective testing of the evaluation method : a retrospective study on cost, effectiveness and utility of implementation of rehabilitation technology, will be carried out involving a sample group of disabled persons who adopted rehabilitation technology before the start of the project.4. Validation of the evaluation method: The method will be tested and validated by implementation in suitable TIDE projects and possibly in other technology projects not involved in the development to date.Impact and Expected Results : The expected outcomes include :- a report identifying critical factors involved in global outcomes relating to rehabilitation technology and services;- a prototype evaluation tool for monitoring cost-utility ratios related to rehabilitation technology in Europe;- overview of the quality, sensitivity and the practical usability of the evaluation method;- validation of the evaluation method itself;- results of evaluation of ongoing projects;- awareness of cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation technology.The study will contribute to the development of a unified Single Market in Europe through the development of a generic methodology. The method will form a basis for efficient use of scarce resources. Programme(s) HS-TIDE 1 - Technology initiative (EEC) for disabled and elderly people (TIDE), 1993-1994 Topic(s) 6 - User and market issues Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Linköping University EU contribution No data Address 58183 Linköping Sweden See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all SINTEF SI Norway EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data Siva SpA Italy EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data TNO Netherlands EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data
