May 24, 2021

What is Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)?

Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) evaluates healthcare technologies regarding economics. The analysis comprises research studies, mathematical models, and simulations on financial data relative to the healthcare system and epidemiology. Epidemiology is a medical science stream that conducts investigative research on diseases and disorders and the changing dynamics with the population. Importantly, HEOR considers the latest research report backed by evidence and findings before providing a comprehensive decision regarding the evaluation. 

Significance of HOER

HOER is crucial for medical and healthcare services. Healthcare, just like any other business, has to manage its funds and maintain the balance sheet to assess productivity. However, financial management in healthcare is attached to the value proposition on offer.  HOER is one of the more advanced methods that evaluate the input costs to a healthcare system against the outcomes comprising consequences of the medical interventions. 

HOER process

One of the foremost benefits is determining if the treatment and procedures are effective on the target population. Data scientists use the specific data of impact on the target population to provide expert advice and outcomes to the healthcare provider. The effectiveness is essential to analyze the feasibility of the treatment. The feasibility analysis also comprises the investments required to procure the technology, devices, and medical expertise to operate the resources efficiently. The research is vital as it helps the healthcare provider subsidize and reimburse part of the treatment costs while maintaining healthy operational finances. 

Selecting the appropriate intervention is a challenge

The Healthcare space is getting increasingly competitive. There is an overabundance of treatments and procedures available in the market.  Some of them are biopharmaceutical interventions, methods using medical devices, or other healthcare services. 

Challenges to healthcare

The current healthcare model for an institution or a nation is dependent on financial provisions or budgeting made for that particular financial year. There is little chance to make changes to financial provisions once the institution finalizes it. Often the budgets are inadequate and create immense pressure on the system to accommodate the facilities, and reimbursements, which are core to healthcare. The cost reimbursements happen on various grounds. As a result, it becomes imperative for the healthcare institution, both private and the public, to evaluate the input costs effectively and analyze the outcomes assessing the feasibility. HOER consulting is thus gaining popularity in the healthcare sector to achieve parity, if not profitability. 

Healthcare Analytics Services

The current evolution of the healthcare industry on the back of Big Data and different financial models to analyze the procedural feasibility and operational efficiency resulted in an increased demand for health analytic service solutions. Health analytics services help healthcare institutions through their expert strategic consulting, technology, networking research execution, and effective communication. It provides comprehensive health economics and outcome research that help healthcare systems offer quality services and achieve operational efficiency.