Abstract
ObjectiveTo review challenges associated with health economic studies in rehabilitation, providing a context for the new Clinical Rehabilitation collection of papers concerned with health economics.RehabilitationAnalysis of the health economic effects associated with rehabilitation must recognise that rehabilitation consists of both a problem-solving process that facilitates the person's adaptation by providing information, advice, and sometimes specific interventions targeting multiple areas. Second, it operates within a complex, adaptive system, specifically the biopsychosocial model of illness. Third, its goals are to enhance well-being and quality of life through its effects on lower-level systems. Consequently, the effects of rehabilitation are unpredictable and typically manifest in several domains. Comprehensive single or multiple focused outcome measures are needed. As evidence-based selection of people who might benefit from rehabilitation is impossible, evaluative studies should have broad inclusion criteria.SystemsRehabilitation is a healthcare service. Traditionally, it is delivered in series, after the biomedical treatment has ended. This allows researchers, including health economists, to isolate the influence of rehabilitation. However, it will be more effectively delivered in parallel, with biomedical care from the outset, as happens, for example, in trauma and intensive care units. Evaluating individual components of healthcare in isolation is unnecessary. Rehabilitation will always involve non-healthcare services. Conversely, the effects of rehabilitation may significantly reduce non-healthcare costs. This close interrelationship necessitates a societal perspective on the economics of rehabilitation.ConclusionsUsing a combination of a global, comprehensive clinical outcome measure and societal-level health economic data will increase the likelihood of detecting effects.