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The short-form 6-dimension (SF-6D) is a preference-based measure designed to calculate quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Preference-based measures are standardized multidimensional health state classifications with preference or utility weights elicited from a sample of the population. There is a concern that valuations may differ between countries because of differences in culture, thus invalidating the use of values obtained from one country to another. To conduct a systematic review of elicitation methods and modelling strategies in SF-6D studies and to present a general comparison of dimensions’ ordering among different countries. We performed a systematic review of studies that developed value sets for the SF-6D. The data search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, and Scopus up to September 8, 2022. Quality of studies was assessed with the CREATE checklist. Methodological differences were identified, and the dimensions’ ordering of the selected studies was analyzed by cultural and economic factors. From a total of 1369 entries, 31 articles were selected. This corresponded to 12 different countries and regions and 17 different surveys. Most studies used the standard gamble method to elicit health state preferences. Anglo-Saxon countries gave more importance to pain, while other countries have physical functioning as the highest dimension. As the economic level increases, people care less about physical functioning but more about pain and mental health. Value sets for the SF-6D are different from one country to another and there is a need to develop value sets for more countries to consider cultural and economic differences.

Background and objectivesThe estimation of a cost- Effectiveness (CE) threshold from the perspective of those who have experienced a life-threatening disease can provide empirical evidence for health policy makers to make the best allocation decisions on limited resources. The aim of the current study was to empirically determine the CE threshold for cancer interventions from the perspective of cancer patients in Iran.MethodsA composite time trade-off (cTTO) task for deriving quality adjusted life-year (QALY) and a double-bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) approach followed by open-ended question for examining patients’ willingness-to-pay were performed. A nationally representative sample of 580 cancer patients was recruited from the largest governmental cancer centers in Iran between June 2021 and January 2022, and data were gathered using face-to-face interviews. The CE threshold was calculated using the nonparametric Turnbull model and parametric interval-censored Weibull regression model. Furthermore, the factors that affect the CE threshold were determined using the parametric model.ResultsThe estimated CE threshold using the nonparametric Turnbull model and parametric interval-censored Weibull regression model was IRR 440,410,000 (USD 10,485.95) and IRR 595,280,000 (USD 14,173.33) per QALY, respectively. Gender, age, education, income, type of cancer, and current treatment status were significantly associated with the estimated CE threshold.ConclusionsThe value of parametric model-based threshold in this study was 1.98 times the Iranian GDP per capita, which was lower than the CE threshold value recommended by the WHO (i.e., 3 times the GDP per capita) for low-and middle-income countries.

Background and ObjectivePsychometric evidence to support the validity and reliability of the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) in cancer patients is limited. This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the EQ-5D-5L (5L) in comparison with EQ-5D-3L (3L) in cancer patients.MethodsData of 650 cancer patients were collected through consecutive sampling method from three largest governmental cancer centers in Iran between June 2021 and January 2022. The data were gathered using the 3L, 5L, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) instruments. The 3L and 5L were compared in terms of ceiling effect, discriminatory power, convergent and known-groups validity, relative efficiency, inconsistency, agreement, and reliability.ResultsCompared with the 3L, ceiling effect decreased by 27.86%. Absolute and relative informativity of discriminatory power improved by 45.93% and 22.92% in the 5L, respectively. All convergent validity coefficients with 5L were stronger than with 3L. Both 3L and 5L demonstrated good known-groups validity, and the relative efficiency was higher for 5L in 4 out of 7 patients’ characteristics. The two instruments showed low overall inconsistency (1.45%) and 92.57% of the differences of observations between the 3L and 5L were within the 95% limit of agreement. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for 3L and 5L indexes were 0.88 and 0.85, respectively, and kappa coefficients in the 3L dimensions (range=0.66-0.92) were higher than the 5L(range=0.64-0.79).ConclusionsThe 5L demonstrated to be better than the 3L in terms of ceiling effect, inconsistency, discriminatory power, convergent validity, relative efficiency.

This study aimed to assess patients' preferences of nonsurgical treatments for chronic low back pain (CLBP).We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in Quebec, Canada, in 2018. Seven attributes were included: treatment modality, pain reduction, the onset of treatment efficacy, duration effectiveness, difficulties with daily activities, sleep problems, and knowledge of the patient's body and pain location. Treatment modalities were corticosteroid injections, supervised body-mind physical activities, supervised sports physical activities, physical manipulations, self-management courses, and psychotherapy. Utility levels were estimated using a logit model, a latent class model and a Bayesian hierarchical model.Analyses were conducted onGiven the preference heterogeneity found in the analysis, it is important that patient preferences are discussed and considered by the physicians. This will help to improve the patient care pathway in a context of a patient-centred model for a disease with growing prevalence.A small group of patients was involved in the conception, design and interpretation of data. Participants in the DCE were all CLBP patients.

The use of a threshold for cost-utility studies is of major importance to health authorities for making the best allocation decisions for limited resources. Regarding the increasing number of studies worldwide that seek to establish a value for a quality-adjusted life year (QALY), it is necessary to review these studies to provide a global insight into the literature. A systematic review on willingness to pay (WTP) studies focusing on QALY was conducted in eight databases up to June 26, 2020. From a total of 9991 entries, 39 studies were selected, and 511 observations were extracted for the meta-analysis using the ordinary least squares method. The results showed a predicted mean empirical value of $52,619.39 (95% CI 49,952.59; 55,286.19) per QALY in US dollars for 2018. A 1% increase in income led to an increase of 0.6% in the WTP value, while a 1-year increase in respondent age led to a decrease of 3.3% in the WTP value. Sex, education level and employment status had significant effects on WTP. Compared to face-to-face interviews, surveys conducted by the internet or telephone were more likely to have a significantly higher value of WTP per QALY, while out-of-pocket payment tended to lower the value. The prediction made for the province of Quebec, Canada, provided a QALY value of approximately USD $98,450 (CAD $127,985), which is about 2.3 times its gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2018. This study is consistent with the extant literature and will be useful for countries that do not yet have a preference-based survey for the value of a QALY.

BackgroundPreterm birth (PTB) is a global issue although its burden is higher in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined the risk factors of PTB in Southeastern Terai, Nepal.MethodsIn this community-based cross-sectional study, a total of 305 mothers having children under the age of 6 months were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected by structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and maternal antenatal cards from study participants for some clinical information. Predictors of PTB were identified using multi-level logistic regression analysis at a P-value < 0.05.ResultsOf the total 305 mother-live-born baby pairs, 13.77% (42/305) had preterm childbirth. Maternal socio-demographic factors such as mothers from Dalit caste/ethnicity [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 12.16, 95% CI = 2.2–64.61] and Aadibasi/Janajati caste/ethnicity (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI = 1.01–14.65), family income in the first tercile (AOR = 6.82, 95% CI = 1.65–28.08), than their counterparts, were significantly positively associated with PTB. Likewise, other maternal and dietary factors, such as birth order first-second (AOR = 9.56, 95% CI = 1.74–52.53), and birth spacing ≤ 2 years (AOR = 5.16, 95% CI = 1.62–16.42), mothers who did not consume additional meal (AOR = 9.53, 95% CI = 2.13–42.55), milk and milk products (AOR = 6.44, 95% CI = 1.56–26.51) during pregnancy, having ConclusionSome socio-demographic, maternal, and dietary behavior-related factors were independently associated with PTB. These factors should be considered while designing targeted health interventions in Nepal. In addition, we recommend specific measures such as promoting pregnant women to use available antenatal care and counseling services offered to them, as well as having an adequate diet to a level that meets their daily requirements.

La demande croissante à laquelle font face les systèmes de santé combinée à la rareté des ressources disponibles rend impératif leur optimisation pour effectuer des choix éclairés. Le concept d’année de vie ajustée par la qualité (AVAQ) s’inscrit dans ce cadre et utilise des instruments de mesure de qualité de vie reliée à la santé (QVRS), parmi lesquels des instruments génériques. Cependant, de nombreuses différences peuvent être observées entre ces instruments. Le constat général est que quasiment tous les instruments génériques contiennent une ou plusieurs dimensions liées à la santé physique (p. ex. incapacité, inconfort, douleur) au détriment d'autres dimensions d’ordre mentales ou sociales. Afin de pallier cette limite, un nouvel instrument a été créé, son but étant d’être plus complet et plus équilibré dans la mesure de la qualité de vie reliée à la santé globale (QVRS-G). Ce rapport présente les étapes clés de la création de cet instrument ainsi que les résultats obtenus dans la mesure de la QVRS-G des québécois au printemps 2021. Ainsi un nouvel outil générique, le 13-MD, composé de 33 items avec 5 à 7 niveaux chacun a été mis sur pieds. La création d’un value set permettant la conversion des états de santé en scores d’utilité permettra son utilisation dans les analyses coût-utilité.

Objectives To investigate the test–retest reliability of the Costs for Patients Questionnaire (CoPaQ). Methods Through an online survey, individuals were invited to participate in a two-step study to assess the test–retest reliability of the CoPaQ. Participants to the first step were invited to complete the questionnaire a second time 2 weeks after. Reliability was assessed by calculating Cohen’s Kappa coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for discrete and continuous data, respectively. A sensitivity analysis was carried out. Results From a total of 1,200 participants who completed the first test, 403 completed the second test. The ICC varied from −0.00 to 0.98 with poor, moderate, good, and excellent results. The Kappa coefficients varied from −0.004 to 0.65 and were poor, slight, fair, moderate, and substantial. The sensitivity analysis showed the median value of ICC and Kappa coefficients for each category before and after the outliers’ exclusion. The median value of ICC changed from 0.30 (before) to 0.70 (after), and from 0.12 (before) to 0.04 (after), respectively, for each category. The median value of the Cohen’s Kappa coefficient increased from 0.44 (before) to 0.46 (after) and decreased from 0.32 (before) to 0.30 (after), respectively. Conclusions Test–retest reliability results indicated that the CoPaQ has a moderate reliability in terms of ICC and Kappa coefficients. The moderate reliability observed gives additional support for the applicability of this tool in economic evaluations of health interventions. Additional studies including on other properties and a cultural adaptation could further enhance the use of the tool.

Increasing healthcare expenditures is a major concern to insurers and governments, but also to patients who must pay a greater proportion of their healthcare costs. The objective of this study was to identify validated tools for measuring the costs of a health condition for patients as well as the different elements to be considered when measuring costs from the patient’s perspective. A systematic literature review was conducted from 1984 to December 2020. The search strategy was applied to seven different databases that had been identified prior as pertinent sources. Two authors independently extracted and compiled data. In case of disagreement, arbitration by two other researchers was conducted. The methodological quality of the included articles was evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Among the 679 retrieved articles, nine met the inclusion criteria. The types of costs evaluated in these studies included direct costs for patients as well as for caregivers, indirect costs, and intangible costs. The development and validation processes used in these articles included a literature search, a discussion with the involved stakeholders, the development of an initial questionnaire, the testing of the questionnaire on a sample of patients, and a critical review. Regarding the psychometric properties of the tool, only five studies tested the reliability and validity of the instrument. There are very few validated tools available to measure the different health-related costs from a patient perspective. Further research is needed to develop and validate a versatile and generalizable tool using a rigorous methodological process.

There is a need to perform a Canadian French translation and linguistic validation of the health-related quality of life utility measure for pre-school children (HuPS) conceptually equivalent to the original Canadian English version.The translation process consisted of forward and back translations. The linguistic validation was performed with the parents of preschool children during face-to-face cognitive debriefing interviews. The whole process was done in accordance with academic standards and the guidance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patient-reported outcome instruments.The results of back translations indicated that 89% of the sentences were identical or almost identical to the original English-language wording. The review of the back translations led to a change in 13 sentences out of 91 from the reconciled forward translation, while the linguistic validation process with 13 parents led to 14 additional changes. Preliminary reliability validation results indicate a Cronbach's alpha of 0.73.The translation and linguistic testing processes were successful in creating a valid HuPS in Canadian French (HuPS-CF). This translation should be the subject of reliability and validity studies in a wide variety of clinical and general populations before to use in research projects.

Aim: To assess the impact of sociodemographic factors and beliefs about medicines on the uptake of pharmacogenomic testing in older adults in a public healthcare system. Materials & methods: Data are based on a sample of 347 primary care older adults. Results: Most respondents (90%) were willing to provide a saliva sample and 47% were willing to pay for it. Increased age (odds ratio: 0.91; p = 0.04) and negative beliefs about the harmfulness of medicines (odds ratio: 0.68; p = 0.02) were associated with a decreased willingness to provide a sample. Lower education (less than university, odds ratio: 0.54; p = 0.04) was associated with a decreased willingness to pay. Conclusion: Education and beliefs about medicines are important factors in the acceptability of pharmacogenomic testing in older adults.

Alexis Nizigiyimana,1– 3,&ast; Dilaram Acharya,1,4,&ast; Gabin F Morillon,5,6 Thomas G Poder1,3,6 1Department of Management, Evaluation and Health Policy, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; 2Centre de recherche en santé publique, Montréal, QC, Canada; 3Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; 4Medical Affairs and Innovation, Héma-Québec, Montréal, QC, Canada; 5Faculté d’économie, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; 6Centre interuniversitaire de recherche en analyse des organisations, Montréal, QC, Canada&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Thomas G Poder, Department of management, evaluation and health policy, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada, Email thomas.poder@umontreal.caIntroduction: A surge of COVID-19 variants is a major concern, and literatures that support developing an optimum level of herd immunity are meaningful. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with vaccine acceptance, confidence, and hesitancy in general, and COVID-19 vaccination refusal in the general population of Quebec, Canada.Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in October and November 2020 among French-speaking participants above 18 years of age employing quota sampling technique. The questionnaire included socio-demographic and attitudinal variables towards vaccination. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between independent and outcome variables.Results: Of total 1599 participants, 88.9%, 87.5%, 78.5%, and 18.2%, respectively, indicated vaccine acceptance, high level of vaccine confidence, low level of vaccine hesitancy, and COVID-19 vaccination refusals. Participants having higher education, income, and fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S) were more likely to get vaccinated, while smokers were less likely to get vaccinated. Similarly, age groups (40– 59, and ≥ 60 years), higher education, income, permanent resident in Canada, country of parents from Canada, ever faced acute disease in the family, higher sense of coherence, and FCV-19S scores were predictors of high levels of vaccine confidence. Higher education, income, sense of coherence and FCV-19S scores, and higher health-related quality of life (CORE-6D) produced lower levels of vaccine hesitancy. Conversely, those acting as caretaker, other essential worker, smoker, and those with financial losses were more likely to have higher vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, ≥ 60 years of age, higher education and income, country of parents from Canada, higher scores of willingness to take risk and FCV-19S were less likely to have high level of COVID-19 vaccination refusal.Conclusion: Over three quarters of the participants indicated positive attitudes toward vaccination. Some socio-demographic and health-related quality of life factors were associated with the outcome variables, and these should be sought while designing interventions to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates.Keywords: COVID-19, behaviour, health determinants, infectious diseases, public health, vaccination

The Short-Form 6-Dimension version 2 (SF-6Dv2) is the newest version of the Short-Form 6-Dimension (SF-6D) that is widely used to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The aim of this study was to produce Quebec population norms from the SF-6Dv2.An online survey was conducted in the adult general population. Data was stratified by various sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, sex, body mass index, history of illness, and health problems.A total of 4175 respondents completed the SF-6Dv2. Mean (95% confidence interval) and median (interquartile range) utility scores were 0.692 (0.684-0.700) and 0.780 (0.607-0.866), respectively. Floor and ceiling effect corresponded to 0.05% and 3.1%, respectively. Men, nonsmoker, higher education, and employed people had significantly higher scores, while lower scores were found for those with a history of illness and a lower life satisfaction. Those reporting a health problem presented significant lower mean utility scores ranging from 0.340 (nervous problem) to 0.623 (diabetes) for men and from 0.207 (genitourinary) to 0.578 (diabetes) for women as compared with those without health problem (0.793 for men and 0.750 for women).This study is the first to provide utility score norms for SF-6Dv2 in the adult general population of Quebec. It also highlighted significant differences among various health problems that can be used to compare populations in studies that do not have a control group.

Background: Short-Form Six-Dimension version 2 (SF-6Dv2) is a multi-attribute utility instrument that can be used in combination with the SF-36v2 (SF-6Dv2SF-36) or as an independent instrument in t...

The asbestos mining industry in Canada shut down in 2012, leading to several decommissioned and some abandoned sites. In southeastern Quebec, asbestos mining residues cover an area of 2308 hectares. About 800 million tonnes of tailings are vestiges of this mining industry, along with socio-economic and environmental impacts resulting from mine closure. Ecological restoration of asbestos tailings and waste rock involves many considerations, including afforestation challenges, high costs and health risks related to asbestos dust exposure during the process. This study documented social demands for asbestos mine restoration in southeastern Quebec (Canada) by local community members. Choice-based conjoint analysis assessed public expectations and preferences for various key attributes related to ecological restoration (i.e., types of vegetation cover, desired uses, total area to be restored, and payment conditions) of former asbestos mining sites. Results highlight public interest regarding ecological restoration projects in these areas, show various landscape preferences and a positive willingness to financially support land reclamation scenarios. In addition to heterogeneity in the choice of attributes and levels associated to the proposed scenarios, the results of this study reveal that the surveyed community members possess a strong sense of belonging to their mining heritage, but low risk perceptions regarding exposure to asbestos fibres. By adopting a cross-disciplinary perspective of social and natural sciences, this study suggests possible avenues for integrating social dimensions that shape these communities toward a post-mining future fostering consensus and cohesion.

Background The lack of a value set allowing the calculation of QALY is an important limitation when establishing the value of emerging therapies to treat food allergy. The aim of this study was to develop a Short-Form Six-Dimension version 2 (SF-6Dv2) preference value set for the calculation of health utility from the Canadian food-allergic population. Methods Two hundred ninety-five parents of patients aged 0-17 years old and 154 patients aged 12 years old and above with food allergy were recruited in clinic and online. Participants were asked to complete a self-administered online questionnaire including generic health-related quality of life questionnaires. Various health states described by the SF-6Dv2 were valued with time-trade-off and discrete choice experiments. Data from elicitation techniques were combined using the hybrid regression model. Results A total of 241 parents and 125 patients performed 3904 time-trade-off and 5112 discrete choice experiments. Utility decrements were estimated for each level of each SF-6Dv2 dimension. Utility values calculated based on the validated preference set were in average 0.15 lower (95%CI: 0.12-0.18) and were poorly correlated (R2 = 0.46) with those derived from the EQ-5D-5L generic questionnaire in the same cohort. Conclusion A representative preference value set for patients with food allergy was determined using the SF-6Dv2 generic questionnaire. This adapted preference set will contribute to improve the validity of future utility estimates in this population for the appraisal of upcoming potentially impactful but sometimes costly therapies.

Background Cost utility analysis is important for measuring the impact of chronic disease and helps clinicians and policymakers in patient management and policy decisions, but generic preference-based measures are not always considered in clinical studies. Objective To evaluate if health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL)-specific questionnaires used in chronic low back pain (CLBP) can predict EQ-5D-5L utility scores. Methods The data come from an online survey on low back pain conducted between October 2018 and January 2019. Health utility scores for EuroQol Five Dimensions Five Levels (EQ-5D-5L) were calculated with the recommended model of Xie et al. The EQ-5D-5L health states ranged from −0.148 for the worst (55555) to 0.949 for the best (11111). Univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed to predict EQ-5D-5L with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and clinical variables. Results Analyses were performed in 408 subjects who completed the questionnaires EQ-5D-5L, ODI or RMDQ. Median (range) of EQ-5D-5L was 0.622 (−0.072 to 0.905). There was high correlation between EQ-5D-5L and ODI (r=−0.78, p

Population norms for the EQ-5D-5L were published in Canada but only for Alberta province. The purpose of this study was to derive Quebec population norms from the EQ-5D-5L.The data came from a larger study conducted between September 2016 and March 2018 using elicitation techniques for a quality-adjusted life-year project. The online survey was distributed randomly in the province of Quebec. To best describe the entire population, data were stratified by various sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, urban and rural populations, whether disadvantaged or not, immigrant or nonimmigrant, and health problems.A total of 2704 (53.8%) respondents completed the EQ-5D-5L. Mean (95% confidence interval) and median (interquartile range) utility scores were 0.824 (0.818-0.829) and 0.867 (0.802-0.911), respectively. The EQ-VAS scores were estimated at 75.9 (75.2-76.6) and 80 (69-90). Subjects with lower scores were those who had a low or high body mass index; were smokers; were single, divorced, or widowed; had no children; were unemployed or sick; had lower education or lower annual income; and had a family or personal history of serious illness. Immigrants had higher scores. There was no difference in gender and urban or rural population. The score logically decreased with worsening health status, from a mean score of 0.896 (0.884-0.908) to 0.443 (0.384-0.501; P.0001. Similar results were observed for subjects' satisfaction with their health or life. Subjects with lower scores were less willing to take risks. Subjects who declared they were affected by health problems presented significant lower utility scores, ranging from 0.554 (nervous problem) to 0.750 (cancer), compared with those without health problems (0.871; confidence interval: 0.867-0.876).This is the first study to present utility score norms for EQ-5D-5L for the Quebec population. These results will be useful for comparison with quality-adjusted life-year studies to better interpret their results. Moreover, utility norms were provided for 21 health problems, which was rarely done.

We conducted a field stated preferences survey to understand the influence of payment and provision consequentiality script on valuation associated with voluntary contribution. Based on four treatment groups with single or combined consequentiality scripts and a contingent-ranking willingness to pay question, this paper provided some evidence that at least for some attributes, a respondent facing positive provision probability reported a significantly higher preference for the opt-in projects if and only if the payment consequentiality was co-presented. For the payment consequentiality, its impact on valuation was independent of the presence of provision consequentiality. We also discussed the limits of our study and provided suggestions for future research in this line.

No discrete choice experiment study has been conducted to elicit women's preferences for water immersion during labor and birth.An online survey including sociodemographic questions and choice cards was conducted to explore women's preferences (i.e., factors that may influence their decision). Each participant responded to 12 choice cards with 6 attributes/factors (i.e., birth mode, duration of the labor phase, pain sensation, risk of severe perineal tears, risk of death of the newborn, and newborn general condition). Utilities were estimated using logit, latent class, and hierarchical Bayesian analyses.A total of 1088 subjects completed the survey in 2019. The risk of death of the newborn was given high priority by women in all but one analyses, while the risk of severe perineal tears was always considered the least important attribute. The latent class analysis clearly revealed three classes of women. The largest class including 52.9% of women was interested in water birth if it could reduce pain and would be risk-free for the newborn. The second class included 30.8% of women interested in water immersion but only during the labor phase. Finally, the third class (16.2%) did not want to consider water immersion during labor and birth, regardless of its risks and benefits. Follow-up questions revealed that many women were interested in water birth only if they could be assured that there would be no risk for the newborn.This study provided insights in favor of water immersion during labor and birth contingent upon the safety of the procedure for the newborn.No discrete choice experiment on women's preference for water immersion during childbirth was previously conducted. Six attributes/factors were used for the discrete choice experiment. Water immersion is poorly used in Quebec with only 49 (7.9%) women over 621 with childbirth experience reporting such immersion. A majority of women (70-80%) were in favor of water immersion.

Background: Across most healthcare systems, patients are the primary focus. Patient involvements enhance their adherence to treatment, which in return, influences their health. The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics (ie, attributes) and associated levels (ie, values of the characteristics) that are the most important for patients regarding telerehabilitation (TR) healthcare to support a future discrete choice experiment (DCE) study design. Methods: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted from January 2005 to the end of July 2020 and the search strategy was applied to five different databases. The initial selection of articles that met the eligibility criteria was independently made by one researcher, two researchers verified the accuracy of the extracted data, and all researchers discussed about relevant variables to include. Reporting of this systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the study. A qualitative synthesis was used to summarize findings. Results: From a total of 928 articles, 11 (qualitative [n = 5], quantitative [n = 3] and mixed-methods [n = 3] design) were included, and 25 attributes were identified and grouped into 13 categories: Accessibility, Distance, Interaction, Technology experience, Treatment mode, Treatment location, Physician contact mode, Physician contact frequency, Cost, Confidence, Ease of use, Feeling safer, and Training session. The attributes levels varied from two to five. The DCE studies identified showed the main stages to undertake these types of studies. Conclusion: This study could guide the development of interview grid for individual interviews and focus groups to support a DCE study design in the TR field. By understanding the characteristics that enhance patients’ preferences, healthcare providers can create or improve TR programs that provide high-quality and accessible care. Future research via a DCE is needed to determine the relative importance of the attributes.

Background The Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF) is the most widely used quality of life questionnaire in food allergy. The objective of this study was to develop a mapping algorithm to convert FAQLQ-PF scores into health state utilities. Methods The Short-Form Six-Dimensions version 2 (SF-6Dv2) and FAQLQ-PF questionnaires were collected from an academic center oral immunotherapy referral cohort. Utility estimates were derived from the SF-6Dv2 using the food allergy preference set. Candidate mapping algorithm models were developed using seven regression methods starting from either the total average score, the average scores of each of the three domains or the individual item scores of FAQLQ-PF. The process was repeated twice, including only section A, common to all age groups, or including all age-applicable sections of the FAQLQ-PF. The mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) were used to select the best fitting model. An independent cohort from a previous national online survey was used for external validation. Results In the index cohort, 1000 of 1257 respondents had completed both questionnaires. The lowest MAE (0.0791) and RMSE (0.1020) were recorded when entering individual item scores in a categorical regression model. The model including only FAQLQ-PF section A was found to be most consistent when tested in the external validation cohort (n=248) (MAE of 0.0898). Conclusion The FAQLQ-PF was mapped onto SF-6Dv2 utilities with good predictive accuracy in two independent cohorts. This will enable calculation of health utility for cost-effectiveness analyses in food allergy.

Based on a case study carried out on the Lac Saint-Pierre (LSP) World Biosphere Reserve (Québec, Canada), this paper estimates ecosystem service loss, more precisely the loss related to cultural and recreational activities of the LSP due to the fall of its water level under the pressure of climate change. We measure two dimensions of this loss. As a first step, the extrapolation of our representative survey reports $100 million annual loss in terms of recreation revenue due to the trip reduction to LSP, which is about 60% of current level. Subsequently, the travel-cost data and the contingent behavior data are combined in a revealed and stated behavior panel random-effect estimation, which reports an additional loss measured by consumer surplus that visitors can obtain from their trips up to $232 million, signifying 42% of reduction in their current value.

Thomas G Poder,1,2 Marion Beffarat,3 Maria Benkhalti,1 Ginette Ladouceur,2 Pierre Dagenais11UETMISSS, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; 2CRCHUS, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; 3CERDI, Université d’Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, FranceObjectives: Hospital-based health technology assessment (HB-HTA) needs to consider all relevant data to help decision making, including patients’ preferences. In this study, we comprehensively describe the process of identification, refinement and selection of attributes and levels for a discrete choice experiment (DCE).Methods: A mixed-methods design was used to identify attributes and levels explaining low back pain (LBP) patients’ choice for a non-surgical treatment. This design combined a systematic literature review with a patients’ focus group, one-on-one interactions with experts and patients, and discussions with stakeholder committee members. Following the patient’s focus group, preference exercises were conducted. A consensus about the attributes and levels was researched during discussions with committee members.Results: The literature review yielded 40 attributes to consider in patients’ treatment choice. During the focus group, one additional attribute emerged. The preference exercises allowed selecting eight attributes for the DCE. These eight attributes and their levels were discussed and validated by the committee members who helped reframe two levels in one of the attributes and delete one attribute. The final seven attributes were: treatment modality, pain reduction, onset of treatment efficacy, duration of efficacy, difficulty in daily living activities, sleep problem, and knowledge about their body and pain.Conclusion: This study is one of the few to comprehensively describe the selection process of attributes and levels for a DCE. This may help ensure transparency and judge the quality of the decision-making process. In the context of a HB-HTA unit, this strengthens the legitimacy to perform a DCE to better inform decision makers in a patient-centered care approach.Keywords: low back pain, preference, treatment, choice

Purpose The impacts of high blood eosinophil count (HBEC) at admission for COPD exacerbation on posthospitalization outcomes are still unclear. Previous studies have focused on its associations with first readmission rates; yet, its impacts on longitudinal outcomes such as subsequent readmissions still have to be explored. The main objective of this study is to investigate outcomes associated with HBEC following a first hospitalization for COPD exacerbation. Patients and methods This is an observational cohort study design. We retrospectively analyzed data of patients with a first hospitalization within 5 years for COPD exacerbation between April 2006 and March 2013. Patients were stratified into the HBEC group if the blood eosinophil count at admission was ≥200 cells/µL and/or ≥2% of the total white blood cells. With information on exact dates of subsequent hospitalizations and death, we modeled readmissions and death as states in a multi-state Markov model and estimated transition probabilities to the next states. Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying thresholds for the definition of HBEC (≥300 cells/µL and/or ≥3%). Results A total of 479 patients were included, of which 173 had HBEC. The transition probabilities for a first readmission was 74% (95% CI, 66%-83%) for patients with HBEC vs 70% (95% CI, 63%-77%) for patients with normal blood eosinophil count (NBEC). The transition probabilities for a second readmission were 91% (95% CI, 84%-100%) for HBEC patients in contrast with 83% (95% CI, 74%-92%) for NBEC patients. Meanwhile, transition probability for death was lower in patients with HBEC. The differences enlarged in sensitivity analyses with higher cutoff. Conclusion Greater blood eosinophil cell counts during a first hospitalization for COPD predict increased susceptibility to up to two readmissions. These patients may however have a lower risk of death.

How cost-effective is group-based pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for treating urinary incontinence in older women?Economic evaluation conducted alongside an assessor-blinded, multicentre randomised non-inferiority trial with 1-year follow-up.A total of 362 women aged ≥ 60 years with stress or mixed urinary incontinence.Twelve weekly 1-hour PFMT sessions delivered individually (one physiotherapist per woman) or in groups (one physiotherapist per eight women).Urinary incontinence-related costs per woman were estimated from a participant and provider perspective over 1 year in Canadian dollars, 2019. Effectiveness was based on reduction in leakage episodes and quality-adjusted life years. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and net monetary benefit were calculated for each of the effectiveness outcomes and perspectives.Both group-based and individual PFMT were effective in reducing leakage and promoting gains in quality-adjusted life years. Furthermore, group-based PFMT was ≥ 60% less costly than individual treatment, regardless of the perspective studied: -$914 (95% CI -970 to -863) from the participant's perspective and -$509 (95% CI -523 to -496) from the provider's perspective. Differences in effects between study arms were minor and negligible. Adherence to treatment was high, with low loss to follow-up and no between-group differences.Compared with standard individual PFMT, group-based PFMT was less costly and as clinically effective and widely accepted. These results indicate that patients and healthcare decision-makers should consider group-based PFMT to be a cost-effective first-line treatment option for urinary incontinence.ClinicalTrials.govNCT02039830.

Economic assessment is of utmost importance in the healthcare decision-making process. The quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) concept provides a rare opportunity to combine two crucial aspects of health, i.e., mortality and morbidity, into a single index to perform cost-utility comparison. Today, many tools are available to measure morbidity in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a large literature describes how to use them. Knowing their characteristics and development process is a key point for elaborating, adapting, or selecting the most well-suited instrument for further needs. In this aim, we conducted a systematic review on instruments used for QALY calculation, and 46 studies were selected after searches in four databases: Medline EBSCO, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. The search procedure was done to identify all relevant publications up to 18 June 2020. We mainly focused on the type of instrument developed (i.e., generic or specific), the number and the nature of dimensions and levels used, the elicitation method and the model selected to determine utility scores, and the instrument and algorithm validation methods. Results show that studies dealing with the development of specific instruments were mostly motivated by the inappropriateness of generic instruments in their field. For the dimensions’ and levels’ selection, item response theory, Rasch analysis, and literature review were mostly used. Dimensions and levels were validated by methods like the Loevinger H, the standardised response mean, or discussions with experts in the field. The time trade-off method was the most widely used elicitation method, followed by the visual analogue scale. Random effects regression models were frequently used in determining utility scores.

The use of a threshold for cost-utility studies is of major importance to health authorities for making the best allocation decisions for limited resources. Regarding the increasing number of studies worldwide that seek to establish a value for a quality-adjusted life year (QALY), it is necessary to review these studies to provide a global insight into the literature. A systematic review on willingness to pay (WTP) studies focusing on QALY was conducted in eight databases up to June 26, 2020. From a total of 9991 entries, 39 studies were selected, and 511 observations were extracted for the meta-analysis using the ordinary least squares method. The results showed a predicted mean empirical value of $52,619.39 (95% CI 49,952.59; 55,286.19) per QALY in US dollars for 2018. A 1% increase in income led to an increase of 0.6% in the WTP value, while a 1-year increase in respondent age led to a decrease of 3.3% in the WTP value. Sex, education level and employment status had significant effects on WTP. Compared to face-to-face interviews, surveys conducted by the internet or telephone were more likely to have a significantly higher value of WTP per QALY, while out-of-pocket payment tended to lower the value. The prediction made for the province of Quebec, Canada, provided a QALY value of approximately USD $98,450 (CAD $127,985), which is about 2.3 times its gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2018. This study is consistent with the extant literature and will be useful for countries that do not yet have a preference-based survey for the value of a QALY.

Objective To summarize current evidence on patient and public involvement (PPI) in health technology assessment (HTA) in order to synthesize the barriers and facilitators, and to propose a framework to assess its impact. Methods We conducted an update of a systematic review published in 2011 considering the recent scientific literature (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies). We searched papers published between March 2009 (end of the initial search) and December 2019 in five databases using specific search strategies. We identified other publications through citation tracking and contacting authors of previous related studies. Reviewers independently selected relevant studies based on prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. We extracted information using a pre-established grid. Results We identified a total of 7872 publications from the main search strategy. Ultimately, thirty-one distinct new studies met the inclusion criteria, whereas seventeen studies were included in the previous systematic review. PPI is realized through two main strategies: (i) patients and public members participate directly in decision-making processes (participation) and (ii) patients or public perspectives are solicited to inform decisions (consultation or indirect participation). This review synthesizes the barriers and facilitators to PPI in HTA, and a framework to assess its impact is proposed. Conclusion The number of studies on patients or public involvement in HTA has dramatically increased in recent years. Findings from this updated systematic review show that PPI is done mostly through consultation and that direct involvement is less frequent. Several barriers to PPI in HTA exist, notably the lack of information to patients and public about HTA and the lack of guidance and policies to support PPI in HTA.

Background Teams caring for people living with cancer face many difficult clinical situations that are compounded by the pandemic and can have serious consequences on professional and personal life. This study aims to better understand how a multi-component intervention builds resilience in oncology teams. The intervention is based on a salutogenic approach, theories and empirical research on team resilience at work. This intervention research involves partnership between researchers and stakeholders in defining situations of adversity and solutions appropriate to context. Methods The principles of realist evaluation are used to develop context-mechanism-outcome configurations of a multi-component intervention developed by researchers and field partners concerned with the resilience of oncology teams. The multiple case study involves oncology teams in natural contexts in four healthcare establishments in Québec (Canada). Qualitative and quantitative methods are employed. Qualitative data from individual interviews, group interviews and observation are analyzed using thematic content analysis. Quantitative data are collected through validated questionnaires measuring team resilience at work and its effect on teaming processes and cost-effectiveness. Integration of these data enables the elucidation of associations between intervention, context, mechanism and outcome. Discussion The study will provide original data on contextual factors and mechanisms that promote team resilience in oncology settings. It suggests courses of action to better manage difficult situations that arise in a specialized care sector, minimize their negative effects and learn from them, during and after the waves of the pandemic. The mechanisms for problem resolution and arriving at realistic solutions to professional workforce and team effectiveness challenges can help improve practices in other settings.

Objectives Increasing emphasis is given on involving patients in health technology assessment (HTA). While this is mainly done at the level of regional and national HTA agencies, this tendency is also emerging in local HTA units. In this study, we provide the results of a survey conducted in local HTA units in the province of Quebec, Canada. The aim of the survey was to provide an overview of local HTA unit practices to involve patients, users, caregivers, and citizens in their process, their interest in doing so, and their information needs for this. Methods The survey was conducted in 2017 with a response rate of eleven units over a possibility of twelve. Results Three units out of eleven (27.3 percent) never involved patients or members of the public in their processes and all indicated that they will involve them in the next few years. The three most important needs for support identified in the HTA units were in: recruiting and selecting patients; integrating experiential knowledge; and knowing and implementing the best methods and practices for partnership. Conclusion Patient involvement in local HTA units is quickly evolving and that is why they urgently need tools to involve more effectively patients and members of the public in their process.

Background Previous proof-of-concept studies have shown that a short course of omalizumab can safely accelerate the oral immunotherapy schedule for multiple allergens simultaneously. Considering the high cost of medication, the dose-related efficacy of omalizumab at decreasing the duration of oral immunotherapy up-dosing phase must be objectively quantified before cost–benefit analyses can be performed. The primary objective of this trial will be to compare the efficacy of 2 omalizumab dosages to placebo at decreasing time-to-maintenance dose during a symptom-driven multi-food OIT protocol. Methods A total of 90 participants aged 6 to 25 with multiple food allergies (3 or more) will be enrolled at four sites in Canada. Participants will be randomized to: (A) Omalizumab 8 mg/kg per month (n = 36); (B) Omalizumab 16 mg/kg per month (n = 36); or (C) Placebo (n = 18). Study drug will be administered at full dosage for 12 weeks, then progressively tapered at 50% dosage (8 mg/kg vs 4 mg/kg vs placebo) for 4 weeks and at 25% dosage (4 mg/kg vs 2 mg/kg vs placebo) for another 4 weeks. After a pre-treatment period of 8 weeks, participants will undergo an initial food escalation (IFE) to an OIT mix containing 3 allergens and start daily home dosing with biweekly increases until a target daily maintenance of 1500 mg protein is achieved. The amount escalated at each visit will vary based on treatment tolerance according to a standardized up-dosing algorithm. Participants will be followed for at least 12 months following the initial food escalation. The primary endpoint will be time from IFE to the target maintenance dose of 1500 mg protein. Time-to-event analytic methods, including the log-rank test, will be used to compare the 3 arms. Discussion This trial uses a novel pragmatic approach to compare OIT with omalizumab to OIT without omalizumab in a blinded manner, which allows to single out the effect of this anti-IgE medication on treatment effectiveness speed without the recourse to predetermined schedules. The innovative patient-centered up-dosing algorithm allows to maximise treatment effectiveness speed without compromising patient safety, regardless of whether the patient is on omalizumab or not. This study will also provide novel prospective data to inform on the optimal and most cost-effective dosage for this indication. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04045301, Registered 5 August 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04045301

The lack of information on the value of ecosystems contributing to human well-being in urban and peri-urban setting is known to contribute to the degradation of natural capital and ecosystem services (ES). The purpose of this study was to determine the economic value of ES in Canada’s Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau region), so that these values can be integrated in future planning decisions. Using the valuation methods of market pricing, cost replacement, and two benefit transfer approaches (with adjustment and with meta-analysis), the value of 13 ES from five ecosystems (forests, wetlands, croplands, prairies and grasslands, and freshwater systems) was measured. The annual economic value of these 13 ES amounts to an average of 332 million dollars, and to a total economic value of over 5 billion dollars, annualized over 20 years. The largest part of this value is generated by nonmarket ES, indicating that much more emphasis should be put on the management, preservation, and understanding of processes that make up these types of ES. The work generated as part of this study is a first step towards operationalizing the concept of ES in planning. More specifically, these results can be used to raise awareness, but also as a stepping stone to improve ecosystem-wide planning in the Canada’s Capital Region.

Background: The knowledge of patients’ preferences in the medical decision-making process is gaining in importance. In this article we aimed to provide an overview on the importance of attributes underlying the choice of non-surgical treatments in people with low back pain (LBP). Methods: A systematic mixed studies review was conducted. Articles were retrieved from the search engines PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus through June 21, 2018. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the study, and each step was performed by 2 reviewers. Analysis: From a total of 390 articles, 13 were included in the systematic review, all of which were considered to be of good quality. Up to 40 attributes were found in studies using various methods. Effectiveness, ie, pain reduction, was the most important attribute considered by patients in their choice of treatment. This attribute was cited by 7 studies and was systematically ranked first or second in each. Other important attributes included the capacity to realize daily life activities, fit to patient’s life, and the credibility of the treatment, among others. Discussion: Pain reduction was the most important attribute underlying patients’ choice for treatment. However, this was not the only trait, and future research is needed to determine the relative importance of the attributes.

The advent of biologic therapies has transformed care for severe atopic disorders but their high cost poses new challenges with regards to long-term sustainability and fair allocation of resources. This article covers the basic concepts of cost-utility analyses and reviews the available literature on cost-utility of biologic drugs in atopic disorders. When used within their limits as part of a multi-dimensional assessment, economic analyses can be extremely useful to guide decision-making and prioritization of care. Despite the good quality of most cost-utility analyses conducted for the use of biologics in asthma and other atopic diseases, their conclusions regarding cost-effectiveness are extremely variable. This is mainly due to the use of inconsistent estimates of health utility benefit with therapy. Development of reliable and validated instruments to measure disutility in atopic disorders and measure of indirect costs in atopic disease are identified as a priority for future research.

Background: Generic preference-based measures are used to evaluate disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To evaluate if Short Form Six-Dimensions (SF-6Dv2) is correlated with specific current questionnaires used in chronic low back pain (CLBP) and if a predictive equation of SF-6Dv2 could be established. Methods: Between October 2018 and January 2019, an online survey on CLBP was conducted. HRQoL was measured with two specific questionnaires, i.e. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and with the new version of the SF-6Dv2 as a generic preference-based measure. Results: 402 subjects completed at least two of the three HRQoL questionnaires. Mean (95% confidence interval) of SF-6Dv2, ODI, or RMDQ were, respectively, 0.561 (0.553–0.569), 43.7 (42.1–45.2), and 10.3 (9.8–10.8). SF-6Dv2 was moderately correlated with ODI and RMDQ (r = −0.635 and r = −0.542, p Conclusion: This study demonstrated that SF-6Dv2 was moderately correlated with ODI and RMDQ and that ODI was a better predictor. There was a strong correlation between actual and predicted SF-6Dv2 from multivariate models. These results suggest that the model can be used in similar studies to estimate the SF-6Dv2 when it was not measured.

The purpose of this study was to develop a Canadian French translation of the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) and assess its psychometric characteristics.A forward and backtranslation process was conducted for the Canadian French version of the FCV-19S. The guidance of the ISPOR task force for translation and cultural adaptation was followed and cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with six citizens. The final proofread Canadian French FCV-19S was then administered to a large sample of citizens from the province of Quebec in Canada through an online survey. A quota sampling was conducted in 2020. Respondents from the survey also completed the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE)-6D and the Sense of Coherence (SOC-3) questionnaires. Several psychometric tests were performed to investigate the reliability (internal consistency) and validity of the Canadian French FCV-19S, including construct validity, concurrent validity, and Rasch analysis.The translation process was conducted without any major difficulties. The cognitive debriefing interviews led to no change in the reconciled translation. The survey collected answers from 3428 citizens. Results indicated that the factor structure of the Canadian French FCV-19S is a unidimensional factor fitting well with the data. The scale showed adequate reliability (Cronbach's alpha of .903) and concurrent validity, as indicated by significantly negative correlation with CORE-6D (r = -.410) and SOC-3 (r = -.233). The Canadian French FCV-19S properties tested using Rasch analysis was also very satisfactory.The results of the present study indicated that the Canadian French version of FCV-19S is a unidimensional tool with robust psychometric properties in the adult's population of all ages residing in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Background and objective Assessment criteria for septic transfusion reactions (STRs) are variable around the world. A scoping review will be carried out to find out, explore and map existing literature on STRs associated criteria. Methods This scoping review will include indexed and grey literatures available in English or French language from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021. Literature search will be conducted using four electronic databases (i.e., MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Embase via Ovid), and grey literatures accompanying the research questions and objectives. Based on the inclusion criteria, studies will be independently screened by two reviewers for title, abstract, and full text. Extracted data will be presented in tabular form followed by a narrative description of inputs corresponding to research objectives and questions.

Objective: Medication administration omission errors (MAOEs) occur frequently in hospitals and can significantly affect patient health. An interdisciplinary committee was formed in summer 2012 to analyse incident/accident reports (AH-223-1 forms) of MAOEs for the 2011–2012 fiscal year in order to identify contributing factors and to propose preventive solutions. Special attention was paid to events with consequences for patients. Method: An aggregate data analysis involving four major steps was conducted: sampling, categorisation, identification of contributing factors, and seeking preventive solutions. One hundred omissions were randomly selected from the 889 reported for this period. All omissions categorised as having had consequences for patients were then added, making a final total of 145 omissions. The omissions were categorised using an Ishikawa diagram developed from an exploratory literature review and process mapping. Subsequent to failure modes, effects and criticality analysis, cause-and-effect diagrams were constructed with the main prioritised categories to differentiate the proximal causes from the root causes. Brainstorming was used to develop solutions, which were then prioritised with an impact/effort matrix. Results: This study identified 27 categories of MAOEs, of which the 7 most frequent and the most critical accounted for 79.3% of the reports. The event categories, in decreasing order of importance, were related to intravenous (IV) therapy (29.0%), failure in using the medication administration record (MAR; 23.4%), failure in creating/updating the MAR (10.3%), medications on the patient’s bedside (7.6%), and three types of MAOEs related to transcribing prescriptions (9.0%). Conclusion: The interdisciplinary committee formulated 10 main recommendations related to these 7 categories, including 3 for IV therapy and 4 for failure in using or creating/updating the MAR.

Since the 1990s, new techniques for the treatment of varicose veins have emerged, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser treatment. We performed a study to compare the safety, efficacy and outcomes of RFA compared to those of open surgery and laser ablation for the treatment of varicose veins. We also carried out a cost analysis of RFA compared to open surgery to assess whether RFA could help free up operating room time by being performed in an outpatient context.We conducted a systematic literature review (publication date May 2010-September 2013 for articles in English, January 1991-September 2013 for those in French). We used several checklists to measure the quality of the studies. We also collected data on costing.The literature search identified 924 publications, of which 38 were retained for analysis: 15 literature reviews, 1 good-practice guideline and 22 new primary studies. The overall level of evidence was low to moderate owing to the limited sample sizes, lack of information on patient characteristics and lack of standardization of the outcome measures. However, the results obtained are consistent from study to study. In the short and medium term, RFA is considered as effective as open surgery or laser treatment (moderate level of evidence) and presents fewer major and minor complications than open surgery (low level of evidence). Radiofrequency ablation can be performed on an outpatient basis. We calculated that RFA would be about $110-$220 more expensive per patient than open surgery.Radiofrequency ablation is a valuable alternative to open surgery and would free up operating room time in a context of low accessibility.Depuis les années 1990, de nouvelles techniques pour le traitement des varices ont émergé, y compris l'ablation par radiofréquence (ARF) et le traitement au laser. Nous avons procédé à une étude afin de comparer l'innocuité, l'efficacité et les résultats de l'ARF à ceux de la chirurgie ouverte et de l'ablation par laser pour le traitement des varices. Nous avons aussi procédé à une analyse des coûts de l'ARF comparativement à la chirurgie pour vérifier si, en étant effectuée en consultation externe, l'ARF permet de libérer du temps de bloc opératoire.Nous avons réalisé une revue systématique de la documentation (articles publiés entre mai 2010 et septembre 2013 en langue anglaise, et entre janvier 1991 et septembre 2013 en langue française). Nous avons utilisé plusieurs séries de critères pour mesurer la qualité des études. Nous avons aussi recueilli des données sur l'estimation des coûts.La recherche documentaire a permis de recenser 924 publications, dont 38 ont été retenues pour analyse : 15 examens documentaires, 1 directive de pratique optimale et 22 études principales. Le niveau de preuve global a été jugé de faible à modéré en raison de la taille limitée des échantillons, du manque d'information sur les caractéristiques des patients et de l'absence de normalisation des mesures paramétriques. Toutefois, les résultats obtenus concordent d'une étude à l'autre. À court et à moyen terme, l'ARF est considérée aussi efficace que la chirurgie ouverte ou que le traitement au laser (niveau de preuve modéré) et s'accompagne de moins de complications majeures et mineures que la chirurgie ouverte (faible niveau de preuve). L'ablation par radiofréquence peut être effectuée en consultation externe. Nous avons calculé que l'ARF couterait environ 110 à 220 $ de plus par patient comparativement à la chirurgie.L'ablation par radiofréquence est une solution de rechange valable à la chirurgie ouverte et pourrait libérer du temps de bloc opératoire dans un contexte d'accès restreint.

The problem of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions is omnipresent today. Governments and civil society organizations are acting in concert to implement controls to limit the environmental consequences of human actions. The private sector is also changing, but it continues to lack strong incentives to initiate a substantial technological change in the direction of more “green products”. One argument used is the high cost of these technologies and individuals' limited willingness to pay for their benefits. The purpose of this paper is to establish, through a contingent valuation study, the value that Quebecers and French citizens attribute to a reduction in air pollution emitted from vehicles. To accomplish this objective, a price increase for less-polluting vehicles with similar performance as their more-polluting counterparts was proposed. Various econometric estimation methods were applied and corrections to the responses were made according to both the degree of certainty indicated in respondents' willingness to pay answers and the method of considering “Don't Know” answers. Results indicate a maximum willingness to pay of several thousand Canadian dollars (estimated between $3000 and $8000). The willingness to pay is also higher in France than in Quebec.

Background Although most studies have shown that little haemolysis is induced by infusion pumps, there are some notable exceptions. Only limited data are available on the actual infusion pumps that are most used in hospitals in Quebec and elsewhere, namely, the Infusomat® Space (peristaltic), Plum A+™ (piston) and Colleague® CXE (shuttle) pumps. Methods Haemolysis and potassium levels were compared before and after the use of the three different infusion pumps. Using 135 units of packed red blood cells (RBCs) aged from 10 to 28 days, 27 measurements were taken for each pump at various flow rates (30, 60, 150, 300 and 450 ml/h) and were compared with measurements taken before using the pumps. The range of flow rates was chosen to cover those of paediatric and adult transfusions. Results The shuttle- and piston-type pumps resulted in low haemolysis levels. The peristaltic-type pump produced significantly more haemolysis, which worsened at low flow rates, but the absolute value of haemolysis remained within the range recommended by the regulatory agencies in North America and Europe. Approximately two-thirds of the haemolysis produced by the peristaltic-type pump seemed to be secondary to the use of an antisiphon valve (ASV) on the transfusion line recommended by the manufacturer. Potassium levels did not increase with the use of the pumps. Conclusion Modern infusion pumps widely used in hospitals in Quebec and elsewhere produce non-threatening levels of haemolysis during the transfusion of packed RBCs aged from 10 to 28 days. ASVs appear to induce additional haemolysis, and we do not recommend using them for blood transfusion.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the utilisation of CSRs by Quebec's local health technology assessment (HTA) units to promote efficiency in hospital decision-making. A survey was conducted using a structured online questionnaire to examine: Characteristics of the HTA units; Knowledge about works and services from the Cochrane Collaboration; Level of satisfaction about the use of CSRs; Facilitating factors and barriers to the implementation of CSRs evidence in a local context; Suggestions to improve the use of CSRs. Data accuracy was checked by two independent evaluators (TGP and CAB). Ten HTA units participated. Mean number of staff was 6.3 [2-18], producing about 4.7 reports per year [2-7.3]. From their implementation a total of 321 HTA reports were published (49.8% included a SR). Works and services provided by the Cochrane collaboration were very well known and HTA units were highly satisfied with CSRs (80-100%). However, only 24.7% (21/85) of topics were searched with success. As regards to applicability in HTA and use of CSRs, major strengths were as follow: Useful as resource for search terms and background material; May reduce the workload (e.g. brief review instead of full SR); Use to update a current review. Major weaknesses were: Limited use since no CSRs were available for many HTA projects; Difficulty to apply findings to local context (lack of contextualisation); Focused only on efficacy and innocuity; Cannot be used as a substitute to a full HTA report. This study provided a unique context of assessment with a familiar group of producers, users and disseminators of CSRs in hospital setting. HTA units generally use other articles from the literature or produce an original systematic review in complement with CSRs. These results led to some suggestions to improve the use of CSRs by HTA units. However, the main limit for the use of CRS in local HTA will remain its lack of contextualisation. Key messages The main limit for the use of CRS in local HTA will remain its lack of contextualization. Context and scientific data are complementary.

Background Cost utility analysis is important for measuring the impact of chronic disease and helps clinicians and policymakers in patient management and policy decisions, but generic preference-based measures are not always considered in clinical studies. Objective To evaluate if health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL)-specific questionnaires used in chronic low back pain (CLBP) can predict EQ-5D-5L utility scores. Methods The data come from an online survey on low back pain conducted between October 2018 and January 2019. Health utility scores for EuroQol Five Dimensions Five Levels (EQ-5D-5L) were calculated with the recommended model of Xie et al. The EQ-5D-5L health states ranged from −0.148 for the worst (55555) to 0.949 for the best (11111). Univariate and multivariate linear regression were performed to predict EQ-5D-5L with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and clinical variables. Results Analyses were performed in 408 subjects who completed the questionnaires EQ-5D-5L, ODI or RMDQ. Median (range) of EQ-5D-5L was 0.622 (−0.072 to 0.905). There was high correlation between EQ-5D-5L and ODI (r=−0.78, p

Background People living with and beyond cancer (PLC) receive various forms of specialty care at different locations and many interventions concurrently or over time. They are affected by the operation of professional and organizational silos. This results in undue delays in access, unmet needs, sub-optimal care experiences and clinical outcomes, and human and financial costs for PLCs and healthcare systems. National cancer control programs advocate organizing in a network to coordinate actions, solve fragmentation problems, and thus improve clinical outcomes and care experiences for every dollar invested. The variable outcomes of such networks and factors explaining them have been documented. Governance is the “missing link” for understanding outcomes. Governance refers to the coordination of collective action by a body in a position of authority in pursuit of a common goal. The Quebec Cancer Network (QCN) offers the opportunity to study in a natural environment how, why, by whom, for whom, and under what conditions collaborative governance contributes to practices that produce value-added outcomes for PLCs, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system. Methods/design The study design consists of a longitudinal case study, with multiple nested cases (4 local networks nested in the QCN), mobilizing qualitative and quantitative data and mixed data from various sources and collected using different methods, using the realist evaluation approach. Qualitative data will be used for a thematic analysis of collaborative governance. Quantitative data from validated questionnaires will be analyzed to measure relational coordination and teamwork, care experience, clinical outcomes, and health-related health-related quality of life, as well as a cost analysis of service utilization. Associations between context, governance mechanisms, and outcomes will be sought. Robust data will be produced to support decision-makers to guide network governance towards optimized clinical outcomes and the reduction of the economic toxicity of cancer for PLCs and health systems.