Introduction
In the realm of healthcare, particularly for underserved pregnant people and new parents, economic evaluations play a pivotal role in shaping policy and funding decisions. A recent scoping review titled A scoping review of costing methodologies used to assess interventions for underserved pregnant people and new parents provides a comprehensive overview of the methodologies employed to evaluate the economic impact of various interventions. This blog aims to distill the key findings of this review and explore how practitioners can leverage these insights to improve outcomes for underserved populations.
Key Findings from the Review
The review identified 103 eligible publications, highlighting a variety of interventions such as home visiting programs, smoking cessation initiatives, prenatal care, perinatal mental health interventions, and substance use treatments. Notably, only a third of these studies considered long-term costs extending beyond one year after birth, indicating a significant gap in understanding the full economic impact of these interventions.
Most studies focused on immediate healthcare costs, with fewer considering broader societal costs. This narrow focus risks underestimating the true value of interventions, particularly those with potential long-term benefits for both parents and children.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners, these findings underscore the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to economic evaluations. Here are some actionable steps:
- Consider Long-term Outcomes: When evaluating interventions, practitioners should aim to capture long-term benefits and costs. This includes considering outcomes related to child welfare, education, and societal productivity.
- Adopt a Societal Perspective: Expanding the scope of economic evaluations to include societal costs can provide a more accurate picture of an intervention's value. This approach can support more informed decision-making and resource allocation.
- Engage with Stakeholders: Incorporating the perspectives of patients and communities can enhance the relevance and accuracy of economic evaluations. This engagement can help identify costs and benefits that may otherwise be overlooked.
Encouraging Further Research
The review highlights the need for more comprehensive economic evaluations that consider a wide range of outcomes and timeframes. Practitioners and researchers are encouraged to explore the following areas:
- Development of New Methodologies: Innovative approaches to costing and evaluation can help bridge existing gaps and improve the accuracy of economic assessments.
- Focus on Underserved Populations: More research is needed to understand the unique challenges and needs of underserved populations, ensuring interventions are tailored and effective.
- Collaboration Across Disciplines: Interdisciplinary collaboration can enhance the quality and impact of economic evaluations, drawing on diverse expertise and perspectives.
Conclusion
Economic evaluations are crucial for understanding the value of interventions targeting underserved pregnant people and new parents. By adopting a comprehensive, long-term perspective, practitioners can better support decision-making processes that promote health equity and improve outcomes for these populations. For those interested in delving deeper into the methodologies and findings of the scoping review, the original research paper is available for further reading.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: A scoping review of costing methodologies used to assess interventions for underserved pregnant people and new parents.
