Introduction to cost analysis in facial plastic surgery.

Full Abstract

Resource allocation in health care is increasingly guided by financial considerations. The cost of care influences treatment decisions not only for health care organizations but also for patients, especially in the fee-for-service marketplace that typifies cosmetic surgery. The purposes of this article are to improve the facial plastic surgeon's understanding of cost analyses and to facilitate critical reading of the literature. We describe basic concepts in economic analyses, such as perspective of analysis, the difference between costs and charges, and the importance of discounting. We also introduce the importance of assessing treatment effectiveness and quality of care. In a review of existing cost-based studies in facial plastic surgery, we found a paucity of rigorous treatment analyses. There are numerous opportunities to pursue economic analysis in facial plastic surgery. We discuss potentially rewarding directions for future research.

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Author information

Author/s: Kezirian, Eric James (EJ); Yueh, Bevan (B);

Affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Facial plastic surgery : FPS (Facial Plast Surg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 18 (issue 2) : pp 95-9

Dates: Created 2002/06/13; Completed 2002/10/09; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12063656, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Health Care Costs
Health Care Rationing - economics
Humans
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Quality of Health Care
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - economics; standards
Sensitivity and Specificity
Treatment Outcome

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