Overall , the cohort Markov models remain the most popular approach , followed by decision trees , Individual based model and System dynamics model ( SD ) .
Conclusions This review paper informs policy makers about the availability of modelling techniques that can be used to enhance the quality of economic evaluations for drug and alcohol treatment interventions
Background The overarching goal of health policies is to maximize health and societal benefits .
Economic evaluations can play a vital role in assessing whether or not such benefits occur .
This paper review s the application of modelling techniques in economic evaluations of drug and alcohol interventions with regard to ( i ) modelling paradigms themselves ; ( ii ) perspectives of costs and benefits and ( iii ) time frame .
A taxonomy of model structures for economic evaluation of health technologies.
Models for the economic evaluation of health technologies provide valuable information to decision makers . The choice of model structure is rarely discussed in published studies and can affect the results produced . Many papers describe good modelling practice , but few describe how to choose from the many types of available models . This paper develops a new taxonomy of model structures . The horizontal axis of the taxonomy describes assumptions about the role of expected values , r and omness , the heterogeneity of entities , and the degree of non-Markovian structure . Commonly used aggregate models , including decision trees and Markov models require large population numbers , homogeneous sub-groups and linear interactions . Individual models are more flexible , but may require replications with different r and om numbers to estimate expected values . The vertical axis of the taxonomy describes potential interactions between the individual actors , as well as how the interactions occur through time . Models using interactions , such as  system dynamics  , some  Markov models  , and  discrete event simulation  are fairly uncommon in the health economics but are necessary for modelling infectious diseases and systems with constrained re sources . The paper provides guidance for choosing a model , based on key requirements , including output requirements , the population size , and system complexity
Overall , the cohort Markov models remain the most popular approach , followed by decision trees , Individual based model and System dynamics model ( SD ) .
Conclusions This review paper informs policy makers about the availability of modelling techniques that can be used to enhance the quality of economic evaluations for drug and alcohol treatment interventions
Background The overarching goal of health policies is to maximize health and societal benefits .
Economic evaluations can play a vital role in assessing whether or not such benefits occur .
This paper review s the application of modelling techniques in economic evaluations of drug and alcohol interventions with regard to ( i ) modelling paradigms themselves ; ( ii ) perspectives of costs and benefits and ( iii ) time frame .