An introduction to economic analysis in medicine - the basics of methodology and chosen terms. Examples of results of evaluation in nuclear medicine

Abstract

This article overviews the basic terms and methodology approaches in economic analysis in medicine: cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis and costminimisation analysis. Particular emphasis is put on nuclear medicine economic evaluation, e.g. FDG - PET studies, sestamibi breast cancer imaging and radioiodine therapy of hyperthyroidism.