Evaluation of large-scale medical equipment in public hospitals in China from the perspective of value-based medicine: a Delphi study

Abstract Objective To select the value evaluation index system of large-scale medical equipment in public hospitals in China, to provide an evidence-based decision-making basis for the introduction and management of large-scale medical equipment. Methods Based on the theory of value medical and whole life cycle, literature analysis was used to establish the original indicator library of value evaluation of large-scale medical equipment. We used a 2-round Delphi technique to conduct expert consultation on the alternative value evaluation indicators of large-scale medical equipment, and further select indicators to build a value evaluation index system to determine its weight. Results A total of 17 experts were selected in this study to participate in the consultation, with an average professional period of 19.15. The positive coefficients of the two rounds of consultation were 88% and 100% respectively. The expert authority coefficient of the first round and the second round was 0.83. In the second round of consultation, the expert consistency coefficient (Kendall's W) of the first-level indicators and the second-level indicators were 0.305 and 0.387 (P < 0.005). The weights of engineering value, clinical value, economic value, and social value were 0.2433, 0.3267, 0.2433, and 0.1867, respectively. The Delphi coordinating group agreed that 24 secondary indicators were finally selected. Conclusion This study has built a large-scale medical equipment value evaluation index system through the Delphi method.The second round of consulting experts' evaluation opinions tend to be consistent, with a high degree of coordination. The constructed value evaluation index system of large-scale medical equipment is scientific and reliable.