ISPOR launched a Good Practice Task Force on pediatric utilities to address the gaps in both methods research and guidance from decision makers about pediatric HRQoL utilities for use in economic evaluation. There is a lack guidance specific to child HRQoL utilities, or the implicit assumption that what is recommended for the valuation of adult HRQoL is also appropriate for children and adolescents. Yet there are a number of methods issues specific to the valuation of HRQoL in children that do not arise in the valuation of adult HRQoL. Moreover, the methods used to preference-weight pediatric HRQoL instruments differ in important ways that decision makers may not be aware of.

This forum will highlight the principal methods issues concerning:

1. Whose stated preferences are relevant to the preference weighting of pediatric HRQoL states?
2. What perspective respondents should be asked to adopt in imagining and valuing pediatric HRQoL?
3. What preference elicitation methods should be used? and
4. To what extent is the comparability and consistency of health state utilities for adult and child HRQoL important for their use in QALY estimation, economic evaluation and decision making?

The task force will present their recommendations and seek audience feedback on the overall approach taken. Pediatric utilities inevitably involves both HEOR science and normative considerations. Given the pivotal role of value judgements in methods choices in pediatric utilities, consultation with local HTA bodies is essential both to ensure that utilities are ‘fit for purpose’, and to ensure that decision makers are well informed about the role and implications of value judgements when establishing methods guidelines. The session will conclude with a question and answer session.