Economic considerations for the hepatologist

This is an era of rapid change in health care systems and clinical practice . In the face of increasing national health care expenditures, physicians a re confronted with an increased demand to justify practices and to show the value of their services. Hepatologists are being required to show that the ir practices are both effective and cost-effective. This has led to an expa nding body of literature examining the cost-effectiveness of medical practi ces. To evaluate these economic analyses the reader must be familiar with t he concepts used in economic analysis and have a clear understanding of bot h how these analyses are performed and how the results can be applied to cl inical practice. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with the essential concepts for evaluating economic analyses in the medical lite rature and to provide published criteria for performing and critiquing an e conomic analysis. The terms used in economic analysis are outlined and defi ned. The criteria for performing an economic analysis are listed. Examples are given to emphasize the key points.