Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40715942›Full record

ArticlePharmacoEconomics2025

Can We Make Health Economic Decision Models as Simple as Possible, But Not Simpler? Introducing SMART tool.

Teebah Abu-Zahra, Sabine E Grimm, Mirre Scholte, Manuela Joore

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PharmacoEconomics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Teebah Abu-ZahraDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology & Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands. teebah.abu-zahra@mumc.nl.ORCID 0000-0002-1090-1721
Sabine E GrimmDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology & Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Mirre ScholteDepartment of IQ Health and Radiology, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Manuela JooreDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology & Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Funding

European Union 101057619
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDeveloping health economic decision-analytic models requires making modelling choices to simplify reality while addressing the decision context. Finding the right balance between a decision-analytic model's simplicity and its adequacy is important but can be challenging.

objectiveWe aimed to develop a tool that supports the systematic reporting and justification of modelling choices in a decision-analytic model, ensuring it is adequate and only as complex as necessary for addressing the decision context.

methodsWe identified decision-analytic model features from the key literature and our expertise. For each feature, we defined both simple and complex modelling choices that could be selected, and the consequences of simplifying a feature contrary to requirements of the decision context. Next, we designed the tool and assessed its clarity and completeness through interviews and expert workshops. To ensure consistency of use, we developed a glossary sheet and applied the tool in an illustrative case: a decision-analytic model on a repurposed drug for treatment-resistant hypertension.

resultsWe conducted five interviews and two workshops with 18 decision-analytic model experts. The developed SMART (Systematic Model adequacy Assessment and Reporting Tool) consists of a framework of 28 model features, allowing users to select modelling choices per feature, then assessing the consequences of their choices for validity and transparency. SMART also includes a glossary sheet. The treatment resistant hypertension case example is provided separately.

conclusionsSMART supports decision-analytic model development and assessment, by promoting clear reporting and justification of modelling choices, and highlighting their consequences for model validity and transparency. Thoughtful and well-justified modelling choices can help optimise the use of resources and time for model development, while ensuring the model is adequate to support decision making.

Indexed as

Decision Support TechniquesEconomics, MedicalModels, EconomicAntihypertensive AgentsCost-Benefit AnalysisDecision MakingHumansHypertensionAntihypertensive Agents

Identifiers

PMID40715942
PMCPMC12450218

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.