Affiliations: [a] Center for Medical Technology Assessment, Linkoping, Sweden | [b] SIVA, Milano, Italy | [c] TNO-PG, Leiden, The Netherlands | [d] Rehab-Nor A/S, Norway | [e] iRv, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands | iRv, Institute for Rehabilitation Research, P.O. Box 192, 6430 AD Hoensbroek, The Netherlands. Http: www.irv.nl; E-mail; gj.gelderblom@irv.nl
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Jan Persson, Center for Medical Technology Assessment, Linkoping University, S-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden. Tel.: +46 13 22 49 93; Fax: +46 13 22 49 95; E-mail: jan.persson@cmt.liu.se.
Abstract: A new method for assessing preference based outcome measures in rehabilitation with assistive devices is reported. The method uses a standard utility instrument, the EuroQol, with complementary items on mobility and social relationships. In addition, a problem solving scale (PIRS) is introduced. Validation has been carried out in a multicenter study of mobility, hearing and communication devices. Utilities and problem solving scores covary strongly for mobility interventions but not for those dealing with communication. So far it is not explained whether the investigated communication interventions result in moderate utility gain only, or whether there is a bias in the corresponding utility scores. Further research on this has been started. The issue of deriving utility weights for the PIRS has also been started. We recommend the described method to be used for cost-utility analyses of rehabilitation measures for disabled persons.
