gms | German Medical Science

Value-based medicine is the practice of medicine emphasizing the value received from an intervention. Value is measured by quantifying objectively the improvement in quality of life (1.) and/or the improvement in length of life as a consequence from an intervention (2.). Evidence-based medicine often only measures the improvement gained in length of life, but generally ignores the importance of quality of life changes. Value-based medicine includes the best features of evidence-based medicine and takes evidence-based data to a higher level by incorporating quality of life issues of patients with a disease and builds the value of an intervention. Value-based medicine also includes the costs associated with an intervention. The resources expended for the value gained is measured with cost-utility analysis in terms of the $/QALY (money spend per quality-adjusted life-year gained) in value-based medicine. A review of the current status and the likely future of value-based medicine is given in this talk.