Outcomes research is broadly defined to include economic or humanistic concepts [e.g., patient-reported or quality of life]) that reflect patient experiences and are of potential interest to patients and health care organizations as well as health care providers. The case study should include issues involved in the process or decision including the usefulness or non-usefulness of the outcomes research information, and recommendations, if appropriate, on the outcomes research information regarding information transparency, completeness of data, format or presentation of information.

SUBMIT OR MODIFY A CASE STUDY ABSTRACT

• Attempts to introduce cost or cost-effectiveness information into formulary decision making processes of Pharmacy and Therapeutics committees. )
• Pay for performance programs that focus on patient oriented outcomes or reducing health care expenditures
• Initiatives to measure patient reported outcomes as part of clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Purchasing or contracting negotiations with manufacturers that involve cost-effectiveness or outcomes measures as opposed to product prices.

The list above is not to be considered comprehensive; many other types of case studies are possible.

ISPOR is equally interested in cases studies of cost and outcomes research that might be considered “failures” as well as successes.

Decision makers from public and private health insurance plans, managed care organizations, integrated delivery systems (i.e., HMOs, the Veteran’s Administration), hospitals and clinics are encouraged to submit abstracts. The abstract submitter must be health care decision-maker. Coauthors can include any individual involved in the case study.

The abstract should be structured as follows:

• Organization: The organization where the case study took place.
• Problem or Issue Addressed: The problem that prompted the initiative (e.g., rapidly rising pharmacy budget for cancer; poor outcomes after knee replacement surgery)
• Goals: What did the organization hope to accomplish? Include numerical goals if appropriate (e.g., 20% decrease in the cancer pharmacy budget while maintaining cancer care quality)
• Outcomes items used in the decision: The items used in making the decision (e.g., cost-effectiveness data from the literature, a survey such as the SF-36).
• Implementation Strategy: What was done at the organization to meet the goals specified.
• Results: A description of what happened after implementation. Numerical data are encouraged but not required.
• Lessons Learned: Recommendations to similar organizations or academic researchers

Quality of the Abstract Presentation Criteria

1. Objectives/research questions are clearly stated and objectives are addressed.
2. Factual information is kept separate from interpretations or implications / unbiased presentation.
3. Implications/results, as presented, are easy to understand.