Economic evaluation and orthopaedic nursing

SummaryIn this paper the authors make a case for the use of principles and techniques of economic evaluation to aid the planning of orthopaedic nursing services. The reader is introduced to the basic principles of economics and the subtleties of economic evaluation methods. Case studies are used to highlight not only the importance of these principles and methods but also the challenges involved in carrying out economic evaluations in orthopaedic nursing. Given scarcity of public funds and the need for sustainable health care systems, these challenges need to be faced if orthopaedic nursing services are to be planned in a way that is of maximum benefit to the community.