ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a framework for conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis of counselling interventions. It illustrates the use of this technique in evaluating the cost-effectiveness of counselling for patients suffering from depression in a primary care setting. The measurement of costs depends on the perspective of the evaluation and its economic objectives. Three interrelated steps of cost identification, measurement and valuation need to be considered in determining the costs of each option in an evaluation. To compare the cost-effectiveness of alternative options, a common outcome measure is necessary. It would not be possible to compare the cost-effectiveness of a counselling programme with a non-counselling option if different outcome measures were used for each option. There are three types of outcome measure for assessing the effectiveness of counselling interventions within an economic evaluation: process indicators, intermediate outcomes, and final outcomes.
