Turning costs into actionable insights for value-based health care

Abstract

Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) is a management strategy aimed at optimizing the value of care for patients by maximizing health outcomes per euro spent. Despite this dual focus, the cost component is frequently overlooked in VBHC implementation, limiting its transformative potential.

This thesis provides guidance on how to turn cost data into actionable insights to support the delivery of VBHC. Part I addresses the question: How can value be measured, and how can costs be effectively incorporated into VBHC implementation? Drawing on real-life examples and stakeholder interviews, the thesis identifies practical strategies to integrate cost data at multiple levels of health care, including shared decision-making, provider benchmarking, and organizational learning. It also explores the development of VBHC dashboards, detailing both functional and technical requirements.

Part II investigates the question: How can insights into costs drive improvements in care pathways? This is illustrated through three empirical studies in oncological care pathways, showing how cost and outcome data can be jointly leveraged to inform clinical decisions and evaluate changes in care delivery.

The findings underscore that the continuous integration of cost data alongside outcomes is essential to fully realize the potential of VBHC at every level of the health care system.