Résumé :
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While economics methods for assessment of health programs, cost effectiveness analysis or cost benefit analysis according to "avoided cost" approach, allow to clarify the arbitrations underlying ressources allocation, they generally lead to assume collectivity preferences can be identify to the preferences of a specific group (medical profession for instance). Some attemps of individual preferences measures according to willingness-to-pay method have been carried out in health care context, which have always been based on certainty of occurence. Beyond empirical difficulties related to methodological bias and strategic behaviours, the question focuses on the integration of uncertainty in economics analysis, which is all the more important since consequences may be irreversible. The option value concept, introduced by Weisbrod, has produced 2 specific ways for interpretation. According to the 1st one, irreversibility characterizes the project submit to individuals for evaluation, and the uncertainty is related to demand ; The question lies on the choice of the relevant indicator for benefits (option price or expected surplus), and option value expresses the viewpoint of differences for evaluation. The 2nd way focuses on the role played by irreversibilities and the lack of perfect information in decision making. Individual preferences may be defined, in this context of irreversibility and uncertainty, by option value which refers to conditional information of initial decision.
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