Modeling Good Research Practices—Overview: A Report of the ISPOR-SMDM Modeling Good Research Practices Task Force-1

Abstract

Models--mathematical frameworks that facilitate estimation of the consequences of health care decisions--have become essential tools for health technology assessment. Evolution of the methods since the first ISPOR Modeling Task Force reported in 2003 has led to a new Task Force, jointly convened with the Society for Medical Decision Making, and this series of seven articles presents the updated recommendations for best practices in conceptualizing models; implementing state-transition approaches, discrete event simulations, or dynamic transmission models; and dealing with uncertainty and validating and reporting models transparently. This overview article introduces the work of the Task Force, provides all the recommendations, and discusses some quandaries that require further elucidation. The audience for these articles includes those who build models, stakeholders who utilize their results, and, indeed, anyone concerned with the use of models to support decision making.

Preventing cardiovascular events with empagliflozin: at what cost?

“…Under this scenario, it is unsurprising that empagliflozin proves cost-effective when compared to its more expensive alternatives. Given the intensive debate about the appropriateness of current HbA1c targets, 3 a more logical analysis (consistent with cost-effectiveness guidelines 4 ) would compare adding empagliflozin to metformin versus continuing treatment with metformin alone.…”

Budget impact of antimicrobial wound dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers in the German outpatient care sector: a budget impact analysis

“…This analysis was conducted using a decision-analytic model which is based on different parameters and structural assumptions that may distort the result and therefore act as limitations of the study [28]. The univariate sensitivity analysis, that investigated the sensitivity of certain parameters, revealed a high level of uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of infection healing of Cutimed Sorbact (BSN medical GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) and silver dressings.…”

Economic Evaluations with Agent-Based Modelling: An Introduction

“…Future research is also needed in developing hybrid models that can embed features of other modelling approaches in ABM. Finally, there is a need for definition of best modelling practices, similar to the recently published series of papers by the ISPOR-SMDM Modeling Good Research Practices Task Force on the use of STM, DES and dynamic transmission modelling [57]. Though some of these recommendations apply to ABMs, a focused set of best practices needs to be defined for a complex approach such as ABM.…”