Using Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Mixed Methods Research: An Evaluation of an Integrated Care Program for Frequently Hospitalized Older Adults in Singapore

​Traditional evaluation techniques are often not suitable for studying health interventions operating in real-world settings, particularly when interventions operate through complex causal pathways. We describe a mixed methods design for evaluating an integrated home care and social support service targeting mature and older adults (55+ years) in Singapore. Here, nurses and community health workers visit patients' homes to address health and social needs while facilitating linkages to community-based services and providing caregiver support. Our mixed methods evaluation plan is composed of three components: quantitative comparison of hospital-based service utilization, cost-effectiveness analysis, and qualitative investigation into the experiences of patients, caregivers, and individuals who declined services. This article contributes a description of how cost-effectiveness analysis adds value when incorporated into mixed methods studies.

SOURCE:
J Mix Methods Res

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689819844838

AUTHOR(S):
Penkunas MJ, Matchar D, Wong CH, Liu C, Chan AWM