The Value of Treatment for Brain Disorders (VOT) is a health economics and outcomes research project coordinated by the European Brain Council (EBC). EBC conceptualized the Value of Treatment research framework to address the increasing burden of brain disorders – both neurological and mental alike.
Budgetary restrictions across the EU are threatening the sustainability of the European social welfare model as a whole and make it even more important to achieve cost-effectiveness in the use of resources in health systems and its deliverables. In particular, challenges are multiple because of the medical, social and economic impacts of chronic disabling conditions. The long-term and transversal nature of care and treatment for mental and neurological disorders have all served to confound hospital traditional and top-down led responses towards care provided in more than one setting. Together, these emphasize the need for an ambitious patient-empowering research policy and an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to brain disorders looking at payment systems and healthcare digitalisation as an innovative boost. Risk reduction, preclinical and early detection, and timely intervention are seen as the solutions to help society cope. In 2019, in order for the research to dig deeper into the current unmet needs in health care using a value-based approach, a second round (VOT2) on new therapeutic areas was launched; focusing on The Value of Early Coordinated Care for Rare Diseases (Ataxia, Dystonia and Phenylketonuria) and The Value of Early Intervention and Continuity of Care for Mental Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder).
The long-term and transversal nature of care and treatment for mental and neurological disorders have all served to confound hospital traditional and top-down led responses towards care provided in more than one setting. Together, these emphasize the need for an ambitious patient-empowering research policy and an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to brain disorders looking at payment systems and healthcare digitalisation as an innovative boost.
EBC together with its members (EAN, EANS, ECNP, EFNA, EPA, EPNS, EUFAMI, FENS, GAMIAN-Europe, IBRO) and experts who are participating in the research convene today to present a synthesis of the VOT2 research project results so far, to be followed by the release of an overarching policy paper on 7 December 2021 and by scientific publications.
For more information on the VOT2 Synthesis Meeting and the Value of Treatment project, follow the links below: