Use of quality of life measures in mental health economics and care planning

Abstract

Quality of life measurement is a key element in health economics and healthcare planning, particularly in chronic diseases associated to high morbidity and disability (i.e., mental disorders). This paper provides a critical review on the theoretical background of utility, on the methods for developing measures based on health preferences or values, and the composite indexes derived from them (DALY and QALY). Then the practical use in mental health is revised both in Burden of Disease studies and cost-utility analysis. There is an important requirement on the part of mental health researchers and policy makers alike to pay close attention to the underlying methods and construction of utility-based estimates of health outcome.