Content of Health Economics Analysis Plans (HEAPs) for Trial-Based Economic Evaluations: Expert Delphi Consensus Survey

Objectives Health economics analysis plans (HEAPs) currently lack consistency, with uncertainty surrounding appropriate content. We aimed to develop a list of essential items that should be included in HEAPs for economic evaluations conducted alongside randomized trials. Methods A list of potential items for inclusion was developed by examining existing HEAPs. An electronic Delphi survey was conducted among professional health economists. Respondents were asked to rate potential items from 1 (least important) to 9 (most important), suggest additional items, and comment on proposed items (round 1). A second survey (round 2) was emailed to participants, including the participant’s own scores from round 1 along with summary results from the whole panel; participants were asked to rerate each item. Consensus criteria for inclusion in the final list were predefined as >70% of participants rating an item 7-9 and
Highlights • Health economics analysis plans (HEAPs) are becoming best practice for economic evaluations conducted alongside randomized controlled trials; however, they are currently implemented inconsistently. • This study used Delphi consensus techniques to identify a list of items that should be included in a HEAP. • A standardized HEAP will contribute to the transparency and reproducibility of economic evaluations and to the minimization of bias.