ABSTRACT
Definition of the study problem involves three steps: identification of the issue for evaluation, identification of the appropriate method of analysis, and identification of the perspective for evaluation. It is important to select the appropriate method of analysis for a cost-effectiveness evaluation. There are four methods of carrying out a cost-effectiveness analysis of counselling and related interventions within the healthcare setting: cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) within a healthcare setting, CEA between healthcare settings, CEA between health service programmes, and CEA of the allocation of public sector resources. Setting objectives for a cost-effectiveness analysis is a two-stage process. The first stage is to define a set of general objectives appropriate for the healthcare setting in which the evaluation is to take place. The second stage is to identify those objectives that can be evaluated using a quantitative outcome measure. In all cost-effectiveness evaluations it is important to define a ‘do-nothing’ or baseline option.
