Comparison of weighting methods used in multicriteria decision analysis frameworks in healthcare with focus on low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Criteria weighting is a key element of multicriteria decision analysis that is becoming extensively used in healthcare decision-making. In our narrative review we describe the advantages and disadvantages of various weighting methods.An assessment of the eight identified primary criteria weighting methods was compiled on domains including their resource requirements, and potential for bias.In general, we found more complex methods to have less potential for bias; however, resource intensity and general participant burden is greater for these methods.The selection of the most appropriate method depends on the decision-making context. The simple multiattribute rating technique (SMART) method combined with swing-weighting technique and the analytic hierarchy process methods may be the most feasible approaches for low- and middle-income countries.