Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Malawi the orthopaedic clinical officer (OCO) training programme trains non-physician clinicians in musculoskeletal care. We studied the cost-effectiveness of this program.
METHODS: Hospital logbooks were reviewed for data pertaining to activity in seven district hospitals over a 6-month period. The total costs were divided by the total effectiveness, calculated as disability adjusted life years (DALYs) averted.
RESULTS: The total cost-effectiveness of providing orthopaedic care through the OCO training programme was US$92.06 per DALY averted. The mean per hospital was US$138.75 (95% CI: US$69.58-207.91) per DALY averted which is very cost-effective when compared with other health interventions. Of the 837 patients treated 63% were aged <15 years and 36% were in the 'economically active' demographic of ages 15-74 years.
CONCLUSION: Training of clinical officers in orthopaedic surgery is very cost-effective and allows transfer of skills into rural areas. The demographics suggest that failure to provide such care would have a negative economic impact.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 128-134 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Tropical Doctor |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 May 2014 |