Avaliação econômica em saúde e estudos de custos: uma proposta de alinhamento semântico de conceitos e metodologias

Abstract

Introduction: The relevance of the discussion about the evaluation of health technologies in the basis of SUS policies, health services and care practices has broadened the discussion about Health Economics Assessment (AES), especially in hospital organizations. Cost studies in AES are fundamental in the process of allocating resources in a rational and equitable way, supported by various concepts and methodologies. Objective: The present article aims to present concepts of economic evaluation in health, focusing on its objectives and guidelines, and a proposal of semantic alignment of the constructs employed in the various areas of knowledge that develop cost studies on the incorporation of hospital technologies. In addition, it discusses how and where to base the cost studies used in AES. The objective is to enable the researcher to identify ways to obtain cost information for AES studies. Methodology: The research problematization involved descriptive research and non-systematic review of the literature, using a research method characterized as a theoretical-conceptual essay. Results: Regardless of the type of economic evaluation in health, the reasoning in cost studies is essential. The greatest limitation is the availability, in any case, are the availability of cost data and the difficulty in choosing methodologies. Conclusion: The elaboration of cost studies is essential in the context of the incorporation of technologies, the analysis of change in the profile of assistance and the inclusion of emerging diseases. However, the choice of methodology is contingent on the availability of cost information and the managerial level of those who will make the decision for which the economic analysis is directed, thus being necessary the concern with the reliability of the methods used in the study and the applicability of the results in several scenarios.