Abstract

Background: Health care utilization databases rely on the vested commitment of patients and their families, but mainly from medical care personnel to provide information of diagnoses, procedures, and follow-up visits. Most developed countries produce health care utilization data from hospital and physician sources through large studies funded by federal research monies. In developing countries, these databases are scare. Methods: The purpose of this commentary is to provide recommendations to researchers gathering cost-related from physicians. These recommendations are based on two studies conducted in Ecuador that provide an opportunity to compare different methods of collecting the financial costs of diagnosing, treating, and providing follow-up care for genital warts caused by the Human papilloma virus (HPV). Findings: The lessons from this research suggest that physicians are more responsive and provide more valuable data when participating in small study groups, such as a Delphi panel. Conclusion: An economic evaluation in a healthcare setting is of increasing importance to maximize the effectiveness of service provision. However, to ensure the production of quality cost data investment is needed to train and to create protocols of data production, collection and analyses in a clinical setting.

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