(an OMERACT core area) refers to the economic and resource-related impact of a health condition and its treatment on both society and individuals. This includes direct costs (such as hospital stays, medications, and healthcare professional time) and indirect costs (such as lost productivity, caregiver time, and other social or financial burdens). By capturing resource use, this core area helps assess the overall value, sustainability, and equity of health interventions.
Synonyms: Economic Impact, Health Resource Utilization, Cost and Resource Use, Societal Burden
Example
In a study evaluating a new arthritis treatment, the Societal/Resource Use core area includes:
Direct healthcare costs (doctor visits, hospitalizations, physical therapy sessions)
Indirect costs (time off work due to illness, caregiver time, transportation to medical appointments)
Broader societal impacts (reduced productivity, increased reliance on disability benefits)
Tracking these factors allows researchers and policymakers to understand the full economic implications of the disease and its treatment, beyond clinical outcomes alone.