Integrating Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis in Healthcare Policy and Practice

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Published: Dec 31, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/hapscpbs.40780
Keywords:
MCDA Resource Allocation Priority Setting Decision-Making Healthcare Health Systems
Alkinoos Emmanouil-Kalos
Laboratory of Health Economics and Management, Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, Greece; Deputy General Director, Hellenic Association of Political Scientists; Vice President, Hellenic Institute of Political Economy.
Abstract

Decision-making in healthcare financing requires balancing diverse and often competing criteria. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) offers a structured framework for evaluating multiple factors simultaneously, enhancing efficiency, transparency and consistency. This policy brief explores the integration of MCDA in healthcare, detailing its advantages in supporting comprehensive evaluations and succinctly presenting various prominent MCDA models. Moreover, a step-by-step framework for applying MCDA in healthcare decision making is presented, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and criterion selection. Finally, the brief addresses the challenges that accompany MCDA implementation and offers strategies to mitigate these issues.

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