Original Title: Coste-Efectividad de los métodos de transferencia de conocimiento

Authors' objectives: To synthesize scientific evidence on the cost-effectiveness of knowledge transfer methods in health professionals (medical doctors).

Authors' results and conclusions: RESULTS: Eighteen economic evaluations met the inclusion criteria. Knowledge transfer interventions were aimed at different behaviours targeted, like prescription, diagnostics, treatment, counselling and clinical practice guidelines. Thirteen studies were cost-effectiveness analyses, and 5 were cost-utility analyses. The effectiveness measures used in the costeffectiveness studies are mainly intermediate results, while the costutility studies use mainly the QALYs (quality-adjusted life years). The mostly used perspective was the one of healthcare system. Training/education is the intervention most frequently assessed followed by feedback, academic detailing, software support and distribution of educational materials; 8 studies combined two or more methods. Most of the interventions are effective in knowledge translation, i.e., they fulfil the function for which they have been designed. CONCLUSIONS: Although the scientific evidence suggests that knowledge translation interventions are effective, most of them are relatively costly and therefore less cost-effective. Those interventions that require less resources or can be applied in different areas at low cost, should be developed.

Authors' methods: Systematic review of scientific literature published up to March 2010 in the electronic databases MEDLINE and EconLit. Full economic evaluations based on clinical trials of knowledge transfer strategies in primary and specialized healthcare professionals were selected if published in English, Spanish, German or Italian. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed by the check-lists by Drummond et al. The extracted information is presented in text and tables.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2010

URL for published report: https://sescs.es/coste-efectividad-de-los-metodos-de-transferencia-de-conocimiento/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Full HTA

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Canary Health Service

Contact Address: Dirección del Servicio. Servicio Canario de la Salud, Camino Candelaria 44, 1ª planta, 38109 El Rosario, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Contact Name: sescs@sescs.es

Contact Email: sescs@sescs.es