Economic Outcomes Research Articles

Utilising existing data for a pilot social return on investment analysis of the family wellbeing empowerment program: A justification and framework

Demand is growing in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors for economic and quantifiable outcome data to guide decisions regarding the allocation of resources. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities in economically evaluating an Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing intervention, emphasising the value of utilising existing data. Driven by local and national Indigenous research priorities, the study involved a pilot Social Return on Investment analysis of the Aboriginal Family Wellbeing empowerment program. Underpinned by a collaborative mixed-methods approach, designed to mitigate data limitations and bolster trustworthiness, the analysis was undertaken across four stages, including a literature review to identify impacts and create a theory of change; co-design of an impacts framework; a targeted literature review to inform impact quantification and attribution; and calculation of the Social Return on Investment results. Results indicate that for every Australian dollar of investment in delivering Family Wellbeing between 2001 and 2021 in the Yarrabah Aboriginal community, A$4.60 of benefits were produced for participants and the community. The return is expected to be higher if important community and cultural impacts of the program were included in the monetisation. Data limitations and implications for future mixed methods economic evaluation of social interventions are explored.

Telephone versus video consultations: A systematic review of comparative effectiveness studies and guidance for choosing the most appropriate modality.

This systematic review compared clinical, service and cost effectiveness of telephone consultations (TC) to video consultations (VC). We searched Embase, CINAHL and MEDLINE for empirical studies that compared TC to VC using clinical, service or economic outcome measures. Clinician or patient preference and satisfaction studies were excluded. Findings were synthesised descriptively. A total of 79 articles were included. The most effective modality was found to be VC in 40 studies (50%) and TC in 3 (4%). VC and TC were found to be equivalent in 28 of the included articles (35%). VC were superior or equivalent to TC for all clinical outcomes. When compared to TC, VC were likely to have better patient engagement and retention, to improve transfer decisions, and reduce downstream sub-acute care utilisation. The impact of telehealth modality on consultation time, completion rates, failure-to-attend rates and acute care utilisation was mixed. VC were consistently found to be more cost effective despite having a higher incremental cost than TC. Our systematic review demonstrates equal or better, but not inferior clinical and cost outcomes for consultations delivered by VC when compared to TC. VC appear to be more clinically effective when visual information is required, when verbal communication with the patient is impaired and when patient engagement and retention is linked to clinical outcomes. We have provided conditions where VC should be used in preference to TC. These can be used by clinicians to guide the choice of telehealth modality. Cost effectiveness is also important to consider when choosing modality.

Zakat Compliance and Economic Well-Being in Indonesia

This study explores the complex relationship between zakat compliance, personal income, education level, religious knowledge, understanding of zakat, and financial well-being in Indonesia. Using numerical methods, information from a group of 120 people was examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling - Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). Descriptive statistics provided a summary of the sample, and CFA verified the dependability and accuracy of the measurement model. The SEM-PLS study shows an important relationship between zakat compliance and economic well-being, with individual income, education level, religious awareness, and zakat literacy influencing this interaction. The results of this study help us understand how social and economic elements, along with religious beliefs, come together to influence economic outcomes in an Islamic setting. The real implication of this research could be the basis for stakeholders who have the authority to increase the level of zakat literacy.

PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN PROBLEM BASED LEARNING UNTUK MENINGKATAN HASIL BELAJAR EKONOMI PESERTA DIDIK KELAS XI SMA NEGERI 1 TOMA

This research aims to improve the learning outcomes of Economics among students of the eleventh-grade Social Sciences program at SMA Negeri 1 Toma through the implementation of the PBL cooperative learning model. The research method employed is action research involving 21 eleventh-grade Social Sciences students as the research subjects. The research is conducted in two cycles by collecting data through learning outcome tests, which are then analyzed using qualitative descriptive techniques. The results indicate that the implementation of the cooperative learning model effectively enhances students' learning outcomes significantly. The average learning outcomes of students increased from 76.77 in the first cycle to 82.97 in the second cycle, indicating an improvement of 6.22 points. This improvement reflects a significant enhancement in students' learning achievement from the category of fairly high in the first cycle to high in the second cycle. Consequently, it can be concluded that the application of the cooperative learning model has a positive impact on enhancing students' learning outcomes in Economics at SMA Negeri 1 Toma.

Reviewing healthcare financial management: Strategies for cost-effective care

This research investigates the dynamic interplay between healthcare financial management and the pursuit of cost-effective care. The study explores operational efficiency strategies, value-based care models, and technological innovations. It explores their impact on economic outcomes and regulatory compliance. Governed by acts like the Affordable Care Act and initiatives like MACRA, the regulatory landscape significantly shapes financial strategies. Technology, including data analytics and electronic health records, emerges as a critical enabler for optimizing financial efficiency. Evaluating financial outcomes, emphasizing return on investment and cost-effectiveness ratios, reveals the intricate link between fiscal responsibility and enhanced patient care. While challenges persist, including resistance to change and limited resources, the study underscores the imperative for a balanced approach, recommending continued research into long-term financial impacts and innovative financial models aligned with value-based care.

Development of hospital pharmacy services at transition of care points: a scoping review

BackgroundSeveral hospital pharmacy services exist, which take place at different interfaces of patient care. Although they are an important tool for improving medication safety, they are not yet sufficiently implemented...

Use of interrupted time-series analyses in evaluating health economic outcomes following implementation of multilayer water-tight wound closure in a primary total joint arthroplasty population.

Aim: Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) with multi-layer, watertight closure (MLWC) using knotless barbed suture and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate plus polymer mesh tape was compared with conventional closure (CC) using Vicryl™ sutures and staples. Patients & methods: Electronic medical records of patients undergoing TJA (1574: total knee arthroplasty; 580: total hip arthroplasty; 13: unknown) from a single surgeon at a US hospital (CC 2011 to 2013; MLWC 2015 to 2020) were reviewed. Outcomes were length of stay (LOS), discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF), 90-day surgical site infection (SSI) and 90-day readmission. Logistic regression controlled for baseline characteristics. Adjusted interrupted time series (ITS) analyses accounted for decreasing trends in LOS and SNF discharge over time. Results: Among 2167 TJA cases (mean [standard deviation] age 66.0 [9.7]years, 53.3% female), 906 received CC and 1261 received MLWC. Bivariate analysis showed no statistically significant differences in 90-day SSI rates; however, MLWC patients had 60% lower 90-day readmission rates (1.5 vs 3.8%, p<0.05), 44% lower LOS (1.4 vs 2.5days, p<0.05) and 40% lower discharge rates to a skilled care facility (8.5 vs 14.1%, p<0.05). Multivariable analyses showed CC patients were 2.45-times more likely to be readmitted within 90days, 1.88-times more likely to be discharged to SNF and had 1.67-times longer LOS compared with MLWC. ITS analyses showed a sharp decline in LOS (0.9days) and discharge to SNF (5.6% incidence) after implementation of MLWC, followed by no further changes for the remainder of the study period. Conclusion: MLWC was associated with ≥40% reduction in 90-day readmission, LOS and SNF discharge compared with TJA CC. LOS and discharge rate to SNF declined sharply after the implementation of MLWC.

Chitogel improves long-term health economic outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery in severe chronic rhinosinusitis patients.

Chronic rhinosinusitis causes severe symptoms that can affect patient quality of life. Endoscopic sinus surgery can be effective in improving symptoms, although surgical outcomes can be compromised post-operatively, and revision surgery is required in a proportion of patients. This study compares outcomes and healthcare resource use in patients undergoing sinus surgery with or without Chitogel as a post-operative dressing. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using deidentified audit data from adult patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis, who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery between January 2016 and December 2021. Patients in the intervention group received Chitogel as a post-operative dressing, and control patients received standard best-practice care. Cox Proportional Hazards survival analysis was used to compare revision surgery rates and time to revision between treatment groups. The rate of revision surgery was used to estimate potential health sector savings associated with use of Chitogel following surgery compared to the control arm, considering initial treatment costs and the cost of revision surgery. Over 18-24 months, patients treated with Chitogel demonstrated significantly lower rates of revision surgery (p = 0.035), and a trend towards decreased use of post-operative steroids, compared to control. Potential health sector savings due to reduced rates of revision surgery following use of Chitogel are estimated as NZ $753,000 per 100 patients. Severe chronic rhinosinusitis patients treated with Chitogel had lower rates of revision surgery within the first 18-24 months post-operative. These findings suggest that use of Chitogel can improve long-term patient outcomes and should improve health system efficiency.

Changes in Health Care Workers’ Economic Outcomes Following Medicaid Expansion

The extent to which changes in health sector finances impact economic outcomes among health care workers, especially lower-income workers, is not well known. To assess the association between state adoption of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion-which led to substantial improvements in health care organization finances-and health care workers' annual incomes and benefits, and whether these associations varied across low- and high-wage occupations. Difference-in-differences analysis to assess differential changes in health care workers' economic outcomes before and after Medicaid expansion among workers in 30 states that expanded Medicaid relative to workers in 16 states that did not, by examining US individuals aged 18 through 65 years employed in the health care industry surveyed in the 2010-2019 American Community Surveys. Time-varying state-level adoption of Medicaid expansion. Primary outcome was annual earned income; secondary outcomes included receipt of employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The sample included 1 322 263 health care workers from 2010-2019. Health care workers in expansion states were similar to those in nonexpansion states in age, sex, and educational attainment, but those in expansion states were less likely to identify as non-Hispanic Black. Medicaid expansion was associated with a 2.16% increase in annual incomes (95% CI, 0.66%-3.65%; P = .005). This effect was driven by significant increases in annual incomes among the top 2 highest-earning quintiles (β coefficient, 2.91%-3.72%), which includes registered nurses, physicians, and executives. Health care workers in lower-earning quintiles did not experience any significant changes. Medicaid expansion was associated with a 3.15 percentage point increase in the likelihood that a health care worker received Medicaid benefits (95% CI, 2.46 to 3.84; P < .001), with the largest increases among the 2 lowest-earning quintiles, which includes health aides, orderlies, and sanitation workers. There were significant decreases in employer-sponsored health insurance and increases in SNAP following Medicaid expansion. Medicaid expansion was associated with increases in compensation for health care workers, but only among the highest earners. These findings suggest that improvements in health care sector finances may increase economic inequality among health care workers, with implications for worker health and well-being.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of PD-1 inhibitors as second-line therapy for advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China: an economic evaluation based on network meta-analysis.

Several economic studies have assessed the cost-effectiveness of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors compared to second-line chemotherapy in treating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, there is a lack of economic comparisons among the different PD-1 inhibitors. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, camrelizumab, and tislelizumab) in second-line treatment for advanced or metastatic ESCC within the Chinese healthcare system. The clinical trials were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. We established a fractional polynomials model to conduct a network meta-analysis, enabling the calculation of hazard ratios and expected survival rates. Economic outcomes were estimated using a partitioned survival model. The costs and utilities were gathered from published sources. The threshold for willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) was set at three times China's per capita gross domestic product in 2022. Sensitivity analyses(SA) were performed to address uncertainties in the model. Four phase III randomized controlled trials were included, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of four PD-1 inhibitors, camrelizumab, nivolumab, tislelizumab, and pembrolizumab, compared to chemotherapy for the second-line treatment of advanced or metastatic ESCC. For camrelizumab, nivolumab, tislelizumab, and pembrolizumab, the corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were $27,375.43/QALY, $205,312.19/QALY, $9,266.73/QALY, and $220,368.10/QALY, respectively. The SA results indicated the robustness of the base analysis findings. From the Chinese healthcare system, under the WTP of $38,253.48/QALY, tislelizumab is a cost-effective treatment option for the second-line treatment of advanced or metastatic ESCC.

Cost-effectiveness and drug wastage of bevacizumab biosimilar with or without chemotherapy for platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction The cost-effectiveness of adding bevacizumab biosimilar with or without chemotherapy (CT) and drug wastage in treating platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer (PRrOC) was assessed. Methods A three-state partitioned-survival model to compare the clinical and economic outcomes in the treatment of patients with PRrOC from a Taiwan healthcare prospective, extrapolated to two years based on data obtained from the JGOG3023 clinical trial. The primary outcomes of the model were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Results In the base-case scenario, using vials of bevacizumab biosimilar (Bevbiol) plus chemotherapy, the ICER was (new Taiwan dollar) NT$ 4,555,878 per QALY gained. The incremental cost savings of an incremental 2.02 QALYs were NT$ 1,605,828 if weight-based Bevbiol plus chemotherapy were used, but the ICER remained high at the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold. If the cost of Bevbiol were reduced to 50% per vial, adding it to CT would be cost-effective at an acceptable WTP threshold of NTD 2,994,200, with an ICER of NT$ 2,975,484. Conclusions Bevacizumab biosimilars in mg/kg dosage form with chemotherapy are still not cost-effective in Taiwan, but using weight-based dosing will reduce drug waste and save treatment costs.

Relationship between pesticide research output and GDP: a socio-economic analysis

Purpose The focus of this study was to evaluate the relationship between research publications in the pesticide field, a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capita. The study aims to analyze pesticide use in association with a country’s population and research publications. The purpose of this study is to uncover the country’s contribution to pesticide research and assess the financial resources allocated to it as a percentage of their GDP by exploring these factors. Design/methodology/approach The Web of Science database was used to retrieve data for the period of 2001–2020. The use of scientometric indicators allowed for the analysis of the collaborative patterns and active performance of countries in pesticide research. Socio-economic analysis was used to determine the contribution of countries toward pesticide research. Findings This study demonstrated a strong association (0.952%) between a country’s GDP and its research publications in the field of pesticide research. Countries, such as Denmark, Belgium and Australia, have benefited from global collaboration, which has enhanced their research efforts. Despite ranking lower in pesticide utilization, India focused on pesticide research, as indicated by its high publication/GDP per capita ratio (0.26). Originality/value Research on pesticides directly impacts agricultural practices, which, in turn, influence the economic production of the agricultural sector. Changes in pesticide usage can have inference for crop yields, food price and, eventually, the GDP. Comparative analysis can assist in evaluating the efficiency of regulatory policies in balancing ecological concerns with economic interests. Changes in regulations may impact both pesticide usage and economic outcomes.

Sustainable HRM the next hotspot for management research? A study using topic modelling

Purpose Sustainable human resource management (SuHRM), which aims to achieve positive environmental, social and economic outcomes at the same time, has gained prominence across industries. However, the challenges of implementing SuHRM across industries are largely under-studied. The purpose of this study is to identify the grey areas in the field of SuHRM by using an unsupervised learning algorithm on the abstracts of 607 papers published in prominent journals from 1995 to 2023. Most of the articles have been published post-2018. Design/methodology/approach The analysis of the data (abstracts of the selected articles) has been done using topic modelling via latent Dirichlet algorithm (LDA). Findings The output from topic modelling-LDA reveals nine primary focus areas of SuHRM research – the link between SuHRM and employee well-being; job satisfaction; challenges of implementing SuHRM; exploring new horizons in SuHRM; reaping the benefits of using SuHRM as a strategic tool; green HRM practices; link between SuHRM and organisational performance; link between corporate social responsible and HRM. Research limitations/implications The insights gained from this study along with the discussions on each topic will be extremely beneficial for researchers, academicians, journal editors and practitioners to channelise their research focus. No other study has used a smart algorithm to identify the research clusters of SuHRM. Originality/value By utilizing topic modeling techniques, the study offers a novel approach to analyzing and understanding trends and patterns in HRM research related to sustainability. The significance of the paper would be in its potential to shed light on emerging areas of interest and provide valuable implications for future research and practice in Sustainable HRM.

The Effect of Product and Service Diversification in Ecotourism Business Management on Beaches in Bali

This research investigates the dynamic interplay between ecotourism, product and service diversification, and their impact on the beaches of Bali. Through a quantitative analysis involving 150 tourists and 150 local businesses, the study explores awareness levels, preferences, and economic outcomes associated with ecotourism practices. Descriptive statistics reveal a heightened awareness among tourists and a prevalent adoption of diversification strategies by local businesses. Correlation analysis establishes strong connections between tourist awareness, preferences for diversified destinations, and the positive correlation between business diversification and community involvement. Regression analysis underscores the economic advantages linked to businesses implementing diversification strategies. Comparative analyses shed light on subgroup differences, emphasizing the influence of awareness and diversification on preferences and economic impact. The discussion underscores the implications for sustainable ecotourism, emphasizing the role of collaboration among businesses, communities, and policymakers. The study contributes valuable insights to the discourse on sustainable tourism practices, offering actionable recommendations for the ecotourism industry on Bali's beaches.

Multifaceted ORganizational InterventiONs (M-ORION) project for prevention of depression and anxiety among workers: study protocol for a five-arm cluster randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are the most common mental health issues experienced by workers. Although organizational intervention has been extensively evaluated as a primary prevention of depression and anxiety, the corresponding scientific evidence remains limited because of the lack of cluster randomized controlled trials (cRCT) and failure to detect organizational-level effects. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the preventive effects of four types of interventions on depression and anxiety among workers in an open, five-arm, parallel-group cRCT.MethodsOverall, 140 worksites and 18,200 nested employees will be recruited from September 2023. The eligible worksites will be randomly assigned to each of the five arms, and programs will be offered for 6–12 months. The five arms are 1) psychoeducation for workers, 2) psychoeducation for supervisors, 3) work environment improvement, 4) physical activity promotion, and 5) active control. The primary outcomes of interest are depression and anxiety. We will also assess psychosocial factors at work, work engagement, health-related quality of life, well-being, economic outcomes, physiological outcomes of health checkups, cortisol levels extracted from fingernails, and indices representing the process and implementation outcomes, including program completion rates. Follow-up surveys will be conducted at 6, 12, and 18 months from baseline, and the primary endpoint is set at the 6-month follow-up. Repeated-measures multi-level mixed modeling will be used to evaluate the effect of each intervention compared with the control.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Kitasato University Medical Ethics Organization (C22-082). The results and findings of this study will be published in a scientific journal and disseminated to companies that participate in the study.Trial registration numberUMIN000050949.

The Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Autistic Children and Their Families.

We used data from the National Survey of Children's Health to (1) examine differences in economic hardship and safety net program use after the implementation of federal relief efforts, and (2) assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated autism-based disparities in hardship and program use. We examined five dimensions of economic hardship (poverty, food insecurity, medical hardship, medical costs, and foregone work) and four safety net programs (cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and free or reduced-cost meals). First, we calculated adjusted prevalence and odds ratios to compare pre-COVID (2018-2019) and during COVID (2021) outcomes by autism status. Next, we calculated the adjusted odds of each outcome among autistic children compared to those of children with and without other special healthcare needs at both time points. COVID-19 exacerbated autism-based disparities in food insecurity, SNAP, and public health insurance, but alleviated inequities in medical hardship, foregone work, and cash assistance. Autistic children did not experience declines in food insecurity or increases in SNAP like other children; medical hardship and foregone work decreased more for autistic children; and the magnitude of autism-based differences in public coverage significantly increased during the pandemic. Federal relief efforts likely improved economic outcomes of children; however, these effects varied according to type of hardship and by disability group. Efforts to promote economic well-being among autistic populations should be tailored to the financial challenges most salient to low-income autistic children, like food insecurity.

Building and Development of Business Entries Owned by the Village in Sumedang District West Java Province

Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) are established as a manifestation of the government's commitment to fostering self-reliance and bolstering the local economy. However, it is evident that not all BUMDes have effectively initiated and executed commercial endeavors, thus failing to yield desired economic outcomes. This underscores suboptimal implementation of coaching and development initiatives. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. For this reason, the research location was determined in Sumedang Regency with a case sample of 4 (four) BUMDes in different sub-districts which represent BUMDes qualifications, namely pioneer, beginner, developing and advanced. Data was collected through interview techniques, observation and documentation and then analyzed qualitatively. The formulation of BUMDes development and development strategies is carried out through SWOT analysis. The research findings indicate that the reasons for the inactivity and lack of development among many BUMDes in Sumedang Regency include: (1) low human resource capacity; (2) weak legal aspects; (3) insufficient institutional relationships; (4) the formation of BUMDes often driven by formalistic reasons; and (5) limited marketing networks. Effective strategies for BUMDes development should encompass: (1) human development through enhancing human resource capacities; (2) enterprise development through promoting village potential, facilitating cooperation and partnerships, strengthening marketing networks via digital marketing; (3) environmental development through mapping natural resource-based village enterprises; and (4) institutional development through optimizing the implementation of regulations concerning villages and BUMDes, collaboration in nurturing and developing BUMDes, facilitating BUMDes legality, reinforcing village consultations, and strengthening institutional relationships of BUMDes.

Does the implementation of a trauma system affect injury-related morbidity and economic outcomes? A systematic review

BackgroundTrauma accounts for a huge burden of disease worldwide. Trauma systems have been implemented in multiple countries across the globe, aiming to link and optimise multiple aspects of the trauma...

Exploring the Influence of Government Policy on Entrepreneurship Development

Government policy plays a crucial role in fostering thriving corporate efforts. This study explores the impact of government policy in promoting entrepreneurship and its economic outcomes. The study showed a positive link between entrepreneurship and economic growth, highlighting the crucial role of favourable government policy in catalysing entrepreneurship development. Despite entrepreneurship recognition, its growth is constrained by several factors, such as laws, regulations, and rules. The paper prioritised entrepreneurship as vital for any national economy to thrive, establishing a basis for more studies on entrepreneurial practices and policies, to aid scholars, academics, and practitioners in comprehending the link between entrepreneurship, government policy, and economic growth. Data was obtained from empirical studies, conceptual clarifications, and content analysis of secondary data. Hence, the impact of government policy on entrepreneurship and economic growth is a critical field of study, with implications for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and the global nation’s economic growth.&#x0D;  

Prioritizing institutional pressures, green supply chain management practices for corporate sustainable performance using best worst method

The emerging institutional concerns regarding the environmental crisis over the past decades have promoted the implementation of green initiatives within the supply chain, aiming to reduce environmental harm while maintaining efficiency. This study employed the BWM from a double perspective, aiming to identify and rank institutional pressures for GSCM practice implementation and the importance of these practices for sustainable performance in the Moroccan manufacturing industry. The study used purposive sampling to identify respondents with supply chain management expertise. A survey was distributed to 124 potential respondents, resulting in 55 responses. Data collection occurred between April and August 2022, with an effective response rate of approximately 38%. The results indicate that institutional pressure increases the likelihood of firms improving their GSCM activities. Normative pressures are found to be the main influencing factor for businesses to implement GSCM practices, while mimetic pressures are the least important. However, certain GSCM practices, such as GP, ECO-D, and IEM, remain among the top three most affected by isomorphic pressures. The study also highlights the importance of certain GSCM practices, such as IEM, GP, and ECO-D, for firms' sustainable performance. Economic outcomes are perceived as the experts' priority, followed by environmental and social performance. This research provides a theoretical and practical foundation for decision-makers seeking to identify the pressures affecting the implementation of GSCM practices along with the activities that most likely contribute to improving various aspects of sustainable performance.