This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
AAOS develops musculoskeletal cost analysis research model
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has developed a research model that evaluates the direct and indirect costs of musculoskeletal procedures. The model has been published in a recent edition of Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation.
“From the perspectives of the patient, employers, and society, the ‘value’ of appropriate medical treatment extends beyond current and future medical expenditures and includes things like whether people can maintain their own independence, remain productively employed, avoid payments for disability or long-term care, and have an overall improvement of their quality of life,” John R. Tongue, MD, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) president, stated in an AAOS press release. “With this new methodology, we are able to examine, for the first time, [musculoskeletal] care as it relates to specific conditions, and uncover the societal and economic benefits currently overlooked in the larger health care value discussion. In an increasingly cost- and quality-conscious health care environment, this analysis provides critical insight into what the true value of orthopedic care means for patients.”
John R. Tongue
Using National Health Interview Survey data from 2003-2010, the researchers identified 202,525 adults and analyzed the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity limitations, measuring them against published clinical trials as well as direct and indirect cost indicators, according to the abstract.
The researchers found higher probability of employment, higher household income and fewer missed work days were correlated with improved physical function, suggesting that treatment of musculoskeletal disorders such as hip and knee arthritis with elective surgery is associated with increased economic societal benefits, according to the abstract. Specifically, each percentage point in the index regression analysis was significantly associated with a 2% increase in employment odds, a 1% decline in odds for receiving disability income, a 0.26-day decrease in missed work days and an additional $170 in household income for employed patients.
Reference:
Dall TM. Cost Eff Resour Alloc. 2013;doi:10.1186/1478-7547-11-5.