Modeling the Cost-Effectiveness of Learning Health Systems in Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine: A Theoretical Framework Using Healthcare Economic Evaluation Techniques

Modeling the Cost-Effectiveness of Learning Health Systems in Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine: A Theoretical Framework Using Healthcare Economic Evaluation Techniques | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Modeling the Cost-Effectiveness of Learning Health Systems in Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine: A Theoretical Framework Using Healthcare Economic Evaluation Techniques Mohannad M. Alarqan, Shaker Q. M Nawasreh This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8419135/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine are increasingly scrutinized for their value, demanding systems that improve quality while controlling costs. This paper proposes a theoretical economic evaluation framework to model the cost-effectiveness of implementing a Learning Health System (LHS) in this domain. Utilizing a Markov model structure, the framework compares the long-term costs and outcomes of a Standard Care pathway versus an LHS, focusing on key economic drivers such as the reduction in repeat scan rates, optimization of staff workflow, and avoidance of high-cost adverse radiation events. The analysis adopts a hospital/payer perspective over a 5-year time horizon with a 3% annual discount rate. Illustrative quantification, based on a hypothetical cohort of 30,000 annual exams, demonstrates that the LHS can generate significant annual net savings (€115,000) and achieve a rapid payback period (0.78 years). Crucially, the model suggests that the LHS operates in the dominant quadrant of the cost-effectiveness plane, with an Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) of approximately -€3,842 per QALY gained. A Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis (PSA) confirms the robustness of this conclusion, showing a 100% probability of cost-effectiveness at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €30,000/QALY. This theoretical work provides a necessary foundation for future empirical studies and supports the strategic investment in continuous learning infrastructure within high-volume imaging departments. Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8419135","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":597437774,"identity":"624586c1-e604-4c26-854b-6c6ca6599eb4","order_by":0,"name":"Mohannad M. 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