A cost-benefit analysis of two alternative models of maternity care in Ireland
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Published version
Date
2017-08-21
Authors
Fawsitt, Christopher G.
Bourke, Jane
Murphy, Aileen
McElroy, Brendan
Lutomski, Jennifer E.
Murphy, Rosemary
Greene, Richard A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer International Publishing; Adis
Published Version
Abstract
Background: The Irish government has committed to expand midwifery-led care alongside consultant-led care nationally, although very little is known about the potential net benefits of this reconfiguration. Objectives: To formally compare the costs and benefits of the major models of care in Ireland, with a view to informing priority setting using the contingent valuation technique and cost-benefit analysis. Methods: A marginal payment scale willingness-to-pay question was adopted from an ex ante perspective. 450 pregnant women were invited to participate in the study. Cost estimates were collected primarily, describing the average cost of a package of care. Net benefit estimates were calculated over a 1-year cycle using a third-party payer perspective. Results: To avoid midwifery-led care, women were willing to pay €821.13 (95% CI 761.66–1150.41); to avoid consultant-led care, women were willing to pay €795.06 (95% CI 695.51–921.15). The average cost of a package of consultant- and midwifery-led care was €1,762.12 (95% CI 1496.73–2027.51) and €1018.47 (95% CI 916.61–1120.33), respectively. Midwifery-led care ranked as the best use of resources, generating a net benefit of €1491.22 (95% CI 989.35–1991.93), compared with €123.23 (95% CI −376.58 to 621.42) for consultant-led care. Conclusions: While both models of care are cost-beneficial, the decision to provide both alternatives may be constrained by resource issues. If only one alternative can be implemented then midwifery-led care should be undertaken for low-risk women, leaving consultant-led care for high-risk women. However, pursuing one alternative contradicts a key objective of government policy, which seeks to improve maternal choice. Ideally, multiple alternatives should be pursued.
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Keywords
Midwifery , Midwifery-led care , Cost-benefit analysis , Cost-beneficial , Consultant-led care , Naternal choice , Risk
Citation
Fawsitt, C. G., Bourke, J., Murphy, A., McElroy, B., Lutomski, J. E., Murphy, R. and Greene, R. A. (2017) 'A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Two Alternative Models of Maternity Care in Ireland', Applied Health Economics and Health Policy. In Press. doi: 10.1007/s40258-017-0344-8