The launch of the new EQ-5D-5L valuation study for the United Kingdom was delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, during this period extensive methodological work has been undertaken in preparation for the study. The study team has worked closely with the Steering Group, the EuroQol EQ-VT support team, and the Quality Control (QC) team (see the study governance document for an explanation of the various teams) on how to reliably and safely collect interview data in light of COVID-19.
The study team have also conducted an equivalence study, in which two modes of administration of the EQ-VT TTO interviews were compared: interview by videoconference vs the regular face-to-face interview. The results from this study demonstrate that video interviews are feasible and acceptable, with both interviewing modes generating good-quality data. To make the study inclusive and maximise sample representativeness, both modes will be used in the UK valuation study, with respondents able to choose the one they prefer.
The study team is led by Professor Donna Rowen from ScHARR at the University of Sheffield and comprises six institutions. For a listing of the full study team and more details about the study and its governance please go to the UK EQ-5D-5L valuation study Blog on the EuroQol website. The study proposal and statistical analysis plan have been approved for funding by EuroQol’s Executive Committee and signed off by the study’s Steering Group. The protocol and statistical analysis plan were informed by a systematic review of published papers generating international EQ-5D-5L value sets.
Professor Donna Rowen said, “After facing delays due to COVID-19 and undertaking a large amount of preparatory and methodological work to inform the study, the study team are very excited to be starting this important study.”
NICE’s current position on EQ-5D-5L valuation in England
Prior to the completion and publication of the new valuation study, the interim position in England regarding the use of the EQ-5D-5L for companies, academic groups, and others preparing evidence submissions for NICE remains in place and can be viewed in Section 4.3.16 of the new NICE health technology evaluations manual on their website.
Read the NICE health technology evaluations manual
Steering Group
The Steering Group comprises representatives from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, the EuroQol Research Foundation, and academic experts. The list of members can be found on the EuroQol Blog.
About valuation studies
The new valuation study will provide a UK value set for the EQ-5D-5L. The value set will provide values (weights) for EQ-5D-5L health state descriptions according to the preferences of the UK general population. These are used in the calculation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) that inform economic evaluations of healthcare interventions. An overview of the EQ-5D-5L value sets internationally is available on the EuroQol website here.
About EuroQol
The EuroQol Research Foundation is funding the study, and is a not-for-profit organization. Their mission is to to improve decisions about health and health care throughout the world by supporting, initiating and performing scientific research and development of instruments, such as EQ-5D-5L, with the widest possible applicability for the measurement and valuation of health. For further information please visit their website.