Abstract

CHICAIZA, Liliana  and  VEGA, Ricardo. Determinants for using economic evaluation in decision-making within the Colombian health system. Innovar [online]. 2008, vol.18, n.31, pp.77-92. ISSN 0121-5051.

This article identifies the barriers and facilitating factors determining how economic evaluation of sanitary technology (EEST) may be used for decision-making by the Colombian Social Health Council (Consejo Nacional de Seguridad Social en Salud de Colombia - CNSSS). A structured interview was prepared using open and closed questions based on international studies of the topic (Ross, 1995; Drummond, 1997 and 2004; Hoffman et al., 2000; Suh et al., 2002; and Iglesias et al., 2005) and applied to 17 of the 20 institutions forming the CNSSS. Descriptive and correspondence analyses were used for presenting the results. The study concluded that the CNSSS faces institutional and educational barriers against using EEST, this being consistent with results obtained in other countries. It establishes that the main facilitating aspect lies in a deeper knowledge of EEST, as only basic information is generally available regarding the topic. EEST therefore hardly affects the decision-making process since more thought is given to political factors, defending sector interests and the system’s financial stability.

Keywords : Economic evaluation of sanitary technology; the economics of health; Colombian health system; decision-making in health; regulation.

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