CHEOS Communications

Wednesday, April 22
CHÉOS Work in Progress Seminar:

Going Beyond Sensitivity and Specificity to Replace the TB Skin Test

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Hurlburt Auditorium, St. Paul’s Hospital

Daphne Ling, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, CHÉOS and Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UBC

Abstract: Management of any disease relies on diagnosis as the crucial first step. For over a century, diagnosis of latent tuberculosis (TB) has relied on the tuberculin skin test, which has several limitations. Most studies evaluating newer tests have only reported on their accuracy, which is insufficient for policy recommendations and guideline development. This talk will discuss evaluating the added value of new tests or biomarkers using a probabilistic and more holistic framework. Topics will include the use of: 1) multivariable prediction models for risk stratification 2) pragmatic studies to assess clinical utility in routine practice and 3) propensity scores within a diagnostic and health systems context.

This talk is open and will include a light lunch.

Event Link
Q&A with Dr. Ling (PHC News)

Thursday, April 23
A CHÉOS Special Presentation:
Valuing the Economic Benefits of Complex Interventions:
When Maximizing Health is Not Sufficient

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Hurlburt Auditorium, St. Paul’s Hospital

Katherine Payne, PhD, M.Sc.
Professor, Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom

Abstract: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) appraises economic evidence to inform the production of national guidance. The economic evaluation of complex interventions may be problematic on two levels. The complexity means the intervention may not fit into one of the current NICE appraisal systems and/or maximizing health is not the only objective. This presentation discusses the implications of a program of work that focused on clinical genetics services, as an example of a complex intervention. Genetic services and tests are a good example of a complex intervention and have broader objectives than just health gain, which may usefully be measured using the concept related to capability which we have called “empowerment.” Further methodological work is required to identify the trade-off between non-health (capability to make an informed decision) and health benefits for other complex interventions.

This talk is open and will include a light lunch.

Event Link
Biography