Dictionary

M

Mixture ModelConceptFinite-Component Mixture, Probabilistic Mixture

A statistical model representing a population as a combination of two or more distinct subgroups, each following its own underlying distribution.

Mobile HealthTermmHealth, Health on Mobile

The use of mobile devices, such as smartphones, to support healthcare delivery and public health practice, from reminders to disease management.

Mobile Health AppTermSmartphone Health App, Health Application Software

A software application for use on a mobile device to support health-related goals, from wellness tracking to disease management functionality.

Mobile Health DataTermmHealth Data, App-Generated Data

Health-related information collected through smartphone apps or sensors, capturing activity, symptoms, or adherence in real time outside clinical settings.

ModeTermModal Value, Most Frequent Value

A central tendency measure representing the most frequently occurring value within a dataset.

Mode Of AdministrationTermSurvey Delivery Format, Questionnaire Delivery Mode

The specific format used to deliver a health status questionnaire, such as self-completion on paper, telephone interview, or electronic survey.

Model Acceptance TestingTermStakeholder Sign-Off, Final Model Review

A model validation stage in which a completed model is formally reviewed and approved by relevant stakeholders before its results are used.

Model AdaptationTermModel Repurposing, Setting Transfer

The process of modifying an existing model, built for one country, so it validly reflects the practice, costs, and population of another.

Model ArchivingTermModel Archival, Version Storage

The practice of preserving a complete, documented copy of a model, including its code and data, in a stable, retrievable format.

Model AssumptionTermModelling Assumption, Structural Premise

A simplifying premise built into a model's structure or parameter values, adopted because the true underlying reality is unknown or too complex.

Model AuditTermModel Quality Check, Model Inspection

An independent, systematic review of a model's structure, code, and data by a party uninvolved in its original construction, to catch errors.

Model AveragingConceptBMA, Ensemble Averaging

A statistical technique combining predictions from several plausible candidate models, weighted by their relative statistical support, rather than relying on one selected model.

Model CodeTermModel Programming, Implementation Code

The complete set of programming instructions or spreadsheet formulas that implement a health economic model's calculations.

Model ConceptualizationTermConceptual Modelling, Problem Conceptualisation

The initial stage of model development in which the disease process and decision problem are structured into a framework before technical build.

Model DiagnosticsConceptDiagnostic Checks, Fit Diagnostics

A set of statistical and technical checks assessing a model's performance, such as poor calibration or unstable results under minor input changes.

Model DocumentationTermModel Write-Up, Model Dossier

Written material describing a model's structure, assumptions, data sources, and validation results in enough detail for independent review.

Model ExtensionTermModel Expansion, Scope Extension

The process of adapting an existing model to address a new but related decision question, such as an additional patient population.

Model For ImprovementTermMFI, Improvement Model

A quality improvement framework combining aim, measures, and change questions with the iterative plan-do-study-act cycle for testing changes.

Model HorizonTermModelling Horizon, Projection Period

The total length of time over which a decision-analytic model simulates costs and outcomes, from short-term to full lifetime.

Model IntegrationTermModel Coupling, System Integration

The process of combining separate model components, such as a short-term decision tree and a longer-term Markov model, into one framework.

Model InterfaceTermModel Front-End, User Input Layer

The point of interaction between a health economic model and its users, covering adjustable inputs and displayed outputs.

Model MaintenanceTermModel Upkeep, Ongoing Model Support

The ongoing process of updating a model's inputs, structure, or code over time as new evidence or a changed context requires.

Model OutputTermModel Results, Analysis Output

The results produced by a health economic model, such as total expected cost, QALYs, and the resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

Model ParsimonyTermParsimonious Modelling, Model Economy

The principle that a model should be no more complex than necessary to address its intended decision question adequately.

Model PlatformTermModelling Platform, Model Environment

The specific software environment, such as a spreadsheet or a specialised programming language, in which a health economic model is built and run.

Model ReplicationTermModel Reproduction, Independent Rebuild

The process of independently reconstructing a model, based on its published description, to verify it produces the same results as originally reported.

Model ReviewTermModel Appraisal, Independent Scrutiny

A systematic examination of a model's structure, assumptions, and results by people other than its original developers, to catch errors or concerns.

Model ScopeTermModelling Scope, Analytic Coverage, Model Boundary

The range of interventions, populations, outcomes, and time horizon a decision-analytic model is designed to address.

Model SelectionConceptModel Choice, Specification Search

The process of choosing a model from plausible alternatives using criteria suited to the intended question, data, predictive or explanatory performance, and decision context.

Model SimplificationTermModel Reduction, Simplifying Assumption Set

The deliberate exclusion of real-world detail from a model's structure to keep it tractable, transparent, and focused on the decision question.

Model StructureTermModel Architecture, Structural Form

The overall organisation of a health economic model, including its technique, the health states or events represented, and how they link together.

Model TransparencyTermTransparent Reporting, Model Openness

The degree to which a model's structure, assumptions, and calculations are made accessible and understandable to external reviewers.

Model UpdateTermModel Refresh, Data Refresh

A revision to a model's inputs or structure to reflect new evidence or a changed context, distinct from correcting an outright error.

Model ValidationConceptValidity Checking, Model Credibility Check

Model validation is the structured assessment of whether a model is sufficiently accurate, credible, and fit for its stated decision purpose.

Model VersioningTermModel Version Tracking, Revision Control

The practice of assigning distinct identifiers to successive iterations of a model as it is updated, tracking which version produced which results.

Model-Based EvaluationTermModel-Based Analysis, Decision-Model Evaluation

An economic evaluation built using a mathematical or simulation model that synthesises evidence from multiple sources rather than a single study.

Moderate-Quality EvidenceTermModerate-Certainty Evidence, GRADE Moderate

Within GRADE, a rating indicating moderate confidence the true effect is close to the estimate but could differ substantially, from trials with some limitations.

Moderation AnalysisTermModerator Analysis, Effect-Modification Analysis

A statistical approach examining whether an exposure-outcome relationship's strength or direction differs depending on the level of a third, moderating variable.

Modified ITTTermmITT, Modified Intention-to-Treat

A variation of intention-to-treat analysis excluding a small, prespecified subset of participants, such as those never dosed, while keeping others by original assignment.

Molecular EpidemiologyTermMolecular Epi, Molecular Disease Tracking

A branch of epidemiology incorporating molecular and genetic biomarkers into the study of disease distribution and causation, allowing precise characterisation of disease subtypes.

Molecular ResponseTermMR, Molecular-Level Response

A response measure using highly sensitive laboratory techniques detecting very small quantities of disease-associated genetic material, more precise than hematologic or cytogenetic criteria.

Monetary ValuationConceptMonetisation, Money-Metric Valuation

Monetary valuation expresses a health outcome or other non-market good in money terms, using stated preference, revealed preference or wellbeing methods.

Money-Back GuaranteeTermRefund Guarantee, Money-Back Scheme

An outcomes-based agreement in which a manufacturer refunds some or all of a treatment's cost if the patient does not achieve a predefined outcome.

Monitoring CostTermSurveillance Cost, Drug Monitoring Expense

The expense of tracking a patient's treatment response and screening for adverse effects, covering laboratory tests, imaging, and clinical visits.

Monitoring StandardsTermSurveillance Standards, Oversight Criteria

The criteria and procedures used to oversee an ongoing study's conduct, ensuring compliance and prompt identification of emerging safety concerns.

Monoclonal AntibodyTermmAb, Therapeutic Antibody

A laboratory-produced molecule engineered to bind to a single, specific target antigen, forming the basis of a major class of biological therapies.

MonopolyTermSingle-Seller Market, Sole Supplier

A market structure in which a single seller controls the entire supply of a good, allowing prices above what competition would produce.

Monopoly PricingTermMonopolist Pricing, Single-Seller Pricing

The pricing behaviour of a firm with monopoly power, setting price above marginal cost to maximise profit and reduce quantity supplied.

MonopsonyTermSingle-Buyer Market, Buyer Monopoly

A market structure in which a single buyer accounts for all or most purchases of a good, giving it power to push the price down.

MonotherapyTermSingle-Agent Therapy, Sole Therapy

A treatment approach using a single therapeutic agent alone, unlike combination therapy involving two or more agents used together.