Economic Evaluation of a Multifaceted Implementation Strategy for the Prevention of Hand Eczema Among Healthcare Workers in Comparison with a Control Group: The Hands4U Study

Acta Derm Venereol. 2016 May;96(4):499-504. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2287.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a multifaceted implementation strategy for the prevention of hand eczema in comparison with a control group among healthcare workers. A total of 48 departments (n=1,649) were randomly allocated to the implementation strategy or the control group. Data on hand eczema and costs were collected at baseline and every 3 months. Cost-effectiveness analyses were performed using linear multilevel analyses. The probability of the implementation strategy being cost-effective gradually increased with an increasing willingness-to-pay, to 0.84 at a ceiling ratio of €590,000 per person with hand eczema prevented (societal perspective). The implementation strategy appeared to be not cost-effective in comparison with the control group (societal perspective), nor was it cost-beneficial to the employer. However, this study had some methodological problems which should be taken into account when interpreting the results.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Eczema / diagnosis
  • Eczema / economics*
  • Eczema / etiology
  • Eczema / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Hand Dermatoses / diagnosis
  • Hand Dermatoses / economics*
  • Hand Dermatoses / etiology
  • Hand Dermatoses / prevention & control*
  • Health Care Costs*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Personnel / economics*
  • Health Personnel / psychology
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training / economics
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / economics*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Occupational Health / economics*
  • Pamphlets
  • Preventive Health Services / economics*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Reminder Systems / economics
  • Treatment Outcome