Prof Nancy Devlin outlines the plans for EuroQol's new working groups at the Group's annual scientific plenary in September 2012.

1. Current and future scientific agenda
of the EuroQol Group
Professor Nancy J Devlin
Office of Health Economics
Chair, EuroQol Group Executive Committee
2012 EuroQol Group Scientific Plenary
13-14 September 2012

2. • New products – and challenges for valuation
• EQ-5D-5L…e.g complexity/differentiating between dimensions
• EQ-5D-Y…e.g what perspective?
• EQ-5D + bolt ons…e.g interactions with core dimensions
• Expanded the set of valuation methods (DCE + duration; revised
forms of TTO; etc)
• What is the ‘best’ method (or combination)?
• What criteria do we use to judge that?
• How best to model the data?
• Much of our focus has been on meeting the demands of economic
evaluation
• Need to develop methods relating to other applications e.g PROMs
• Potential to use EQ-5D outside health and health care?

3. So…
• A vast, exciting research agenda to pursue
• A substantial budget at our disposal
…but research proposals received by the
Executive are falling…!

4. Working Groups
Value Sets
P Krabbe (chair); F de Charro; N Devlin
B van Hout & L Lamers (co-chairs); J Brazier; L
Valuation
Longworth (bolt ons); W Greiner (EQ-5D-Y);
Methodology
Krabbe/deCharro (value sets)
EuroQol Data Archive S Pickard (chair); E Lubetkin; C Wilke
EQ-5D in Children W Greiner (chair); M Herdman; U Ravens-Seiberer
EQ-5D in PROMs and J Johnson; P Kind; N Devlin; J Cabases
Pops
EQ-5D beyond health L Lamers (chair); A Tsuchiya; E Stolk
care

5. The Working Groups will
- Establish and drive our research agenda in each area
- And actively reach out to all EuroQol Group members, to
(a) seek input and additional expert advice
(b) promote opportunities for undertaking research

6. Working group Objectives Expected
time span
1. Value sets 1.To stimulate interest in 2 years
producing EQ-5D (3L and 5L) (with annual
value sets across the world review
against
b. To advise and liaise with local
objectives)
researchers and data collection
agencies in undertaking value
set research using our
valuation protocol/EQ-VT
c. To certify value sets that
follow our protocol and meet
data quality/scientific
standards.

7. Working group Objectives Expected time span
2.Valuation a. To promote 3 years (with annual
methodology methodological research to review against
develop and test innovative objectives)
valuation methods for
future protocols.
b. To develop a conceptual
foundation and methods for
valuing bolt ons
c. To develop a conceptual
foundation and methods
for valuing EQ-5D-Y

8. Working group Objectives Expected time span
3. EuroQol Data Archive a. Develop a policy for 6 months
(EQ-DA) accessing and using the (then review to re-set
data archive. objectives)
b. Identify options for
developing and actively
promoting the data archive
as a unique scientific asset
for the EuroQol Group.

9. Working group Objectives Expected time
span
4. EQ-5D in a. Building on the work of the Youth Taskforce, 1 year (then
children to develop EQ-5D instruments suitable for use review progress
in children of various age ranges and re-set
objectives)
b. To develop and test a 5L version of the EQ-
5D-Y
c. To promote research to explore the validity of
the EQ-5D-Y as a measure of health status in
children
d. To work closely with Working Group on
Valuation Methodology in developing a work
programme for the valuation of EQ-5D-Y states.

10. Working group Objectives Expected time
span
5. EQ-5D in PROMs a. To stimulate interest in routine use 1 year (then
and pops of EQ-5D in health care systems and review and re-set
patient registries objectives)
b. To undertake methodological
research relating to the use of EQ-5D
in measuring provider/health system
performance on outcomes and
technical efficiency.
c. To identify and lead on research
issues arising from use of EQ-5D in
PROMs or population health surveys

11. Working group Objectives Expected time
span
6. EQ-5D a. To explore the use of EQ-5D as a measure 1 year (then
beyond health of outcomes in interventions outside the review and re-set
care health care sector eg. social care; housing; objectives)
residential care; impacts on carers
b. To ensure the EuroQol Group develops the
knowledge and evidence required to
respond to challenges arising from other
measurement approaches e.g. capabilities;
subjective wellbeing

12. • The WGs give priority to some areas of work –
but do not limit what can be done –
innovative research proposals always
welcomed.
• What issues have come up in the plenary that
– WGs should address?
– would be interesting to pursue, even if not part of
the WG’s remit?