Following guidelines is not efficient

Prioritising patients for assessment of cardiovascular disease on the basis of previous estimates makes better use of staff time than assessing all adults for their risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, treating more patients with low cost drugs is more efficient than prescribing costly drugs such as simvastatin and enalapril for a few patients. Marshall and Rouse (p 197) make these conclusions from the mathematical modelling of data from six strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease. Authors of such strategies and guidelines, they say, should make explicit statements about the resource implications, health benefits, and efficacy of implementing such strategies.

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Relevant Article

Resource implications and health benefits of primary prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease in people aged 30 to 74: mathematical modelling study

Tom Marshall and Andrew Rouse
BMJ 2002 325: 197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]