The cost-effectiveness of a transdiagnostic intervention to address mental health needs of young people with long-term physical conditions: a commentary

Abstract

Young people with long-term physical conditions are commonly affected by mental health disorders, impacting their quality of life. In this commentary we critically appraised an existing economic evaluation of a transdiagnostic intervention for young people and, based on its findings, we formulated wider implications for practice. While the economic evaluation suitably defined the research question, perspective and time horizon of the analysis, key limitations emerge in relation to the lack of a control group which limits the precision of the cost-effectiveness estimates. Moreover, the design of the transdiagnostic intervention would need further refining as a mix of active and non-active treatments is considered, and their separate contributions to the overall cost-effectiveness could not be ascertained. Despite this, the involvement of staff in lower bands in the transdiagnostic intervention, such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and senior nurses, could be seen favourably from a cost perspective and support its wider implementation.