The Implications of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Medical Technology. Background Paper Number 3: The Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness of Psychotherapy

摘要

This case study assesses methodological and substantive issues relating to the scope of psychotherapy, the evaluation of psychotherapeutic efficacy, and the applicability of CEA/CBA in assessing psychotherapy. It was prepared in response to a request from the Senate Finance Committee. The report discusses four issues centrally related to the evaluation of psychotherapy: (1) the definition and complexity of psychotherapy; (2) the degree to which psychotherapy is amenable to scientific analysis and the availability of appropriate methods for studying psychotherapy; (3) the evidence as to psychotherapy's efficacy, including the results of analyses that synthesize findings across studies; and (4) the appropriateness of CEA/CBAs of psychotherapy and the results of their application.