Analytical approach:
The analysis was based on a single study with a 43-week time horizon. The authors stated that the study was conducted from the NHS perspective.
Effectiveness data:
The effectiveness data came from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of 742 women in England and Scotland, recruited between May 2004 and January 2006. The mean age was 32.6 years, and the mean gestation at randomisation was 19.0 weeks. The primary clinical outcome was the woman’s decisional uncertainty, which was measured using the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) at 37 weeks of gestation. The proportion of caesarean delivery was presented.
Monetary benefit and utility valuations:
Not considered.
Measure of benefit:
The primary measure of benefit was the DCS score.
Cost data:
The economic analysis considered the medical care cost for the mother and baby, including hospital stay, out-patient appointment, physician, nurse, and midwife services, and prescribed medications. The resource use was from the patients in the clinical trial. The unit costs were from a published study, the Department of Health's National Tariff, and the British National Formulary. All costs were reported in 2005 UK pounds sterling (£).
Analysis of uncertainty:
A one-way sensitivity analysis was conducted on the delivery cost.