Beyond Value Function Methods in MCDA for Health Care

Abstract

In health-care decision-making, the predominance of some value function multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods may obscure the existence and potential usefulness of alternative MCDA methods. The current chapter provides an introduction to alternative value function and non-value function methods. The alternative value function methods presented are approaches based on multi-attribute value theory (MAVT): measuring attractiveness by a categorical-based evaluation technique (MACBETH), Variable Interdependent Parameters (VIP) analysis, and stochastic multi-criteria acceptability analysis (SMAA). Non-value function methods described include goal programming models, dominance-based rough set approach, and outranking models. The chapter also reviews their use in health to date and ends with concluding remarks.