

One method of valuing program inputs is the Ingredients Method. Change the probabilities until there is no difference between whether they choose option A or B.ĭiscount utility if utility gains occur over a period of many years. Variable probability method: Ask individuals to choose between two options when there is a 100% chance of A occurring and a 0% chance of B occurring. The direct method and the variable probability method can be used to estimate importance weights.ĭirect method: Ask individuals to allocate a total of 100 points among attributes according to their relative importance. This involves determining the relative weight or ‘importance’ of each attribute to overall utility. Individuals choose the probability that makes them indifferent between the highest-scoring attribute and the lowest scoring attribute.Īssess importance weights. Variable probability method: Stakeholders assess their preferences for varying amounts of a range of probabilities. Individual stakeholders are then asked to score the remaining attributes. Other attributes can be plotted accordingly.ĭirect method: Again the low and high scores are given scores of 0 and 100. The lowest amount of an attribute is assigned a utility of 0 and the highest a utility of 100. Increasing amounts of an attribute are associated with increasing amounts of utility. The x-axis presents the lowest-scoring attribute to the highest. This can be presented in a graphical manner. Proportional scoring: This method presents each attribute according to a common utility scale. There are a number of methods to assess single-attribute utility: Determine the utility of every single attribute. Results are often difficult to reproduce among different evaluators because of the numerous and sometimes conflicting methodologies that are used to estimate importance weights.ĭetermine the attributes of utility/ value.CUA can contribute to consensus building and participatory decision-making as stakeholders are called upon to assess their preferences for diverse outcomes.A large number of potential outcomes can be included in the evaluation.CUA makes careful attempts to consider individual preferences.When to use this method: This method can be used where monetizing outcomes is not possible or appropriate and when the evaluator needs/wants to consider individual preferences. Developing this indicator involves determining satisfaction derived from different health states. The QALY allows each potential program to be measured according to the extent to which it extends life expectancy while also improving the quality of each year lived. Well-known application of cost utility analysis is in the health sector, with the use of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). Cost utility analysis (CUA) develops an overall measure of utility or value based on the preferences of individuals.ĬUA is useful for evaluating, and comparing, programs that aim to reach the same goal in non-monetary terms.
