The PECUNIA Resource Use Measurement Instrument (PECUNIA RUM) is an internationally standardised, harmonised and validated, generic, self-reported questionnaire that measures resource use for costing from a societal perspective. It is structured in sections covering the impacts of health or wellbeing on different services including health and social care use, medication, informal help, education, work, justice, and private expenses. The PECUNIA RUM is consistent with the harmonised PECUNIA Costing Concept and other PECUNIA Costing Tools (PECUNIA RUC Templates, PECUNIA RUC Compendium) to achieve cross-country and cross-sectoral comparability. and can be used complementary to the PROM-MH Compendium, a repository of standardised mental health outcome measures.
Version 1 was initially developed as a modular, pen-and-paper questionnaire in English by the scientific partners of the PECUNIA Consortium between 2019 and 2021 alongside the following steps: a) comprehensive scoping review to identify existing RUM recommendations, b) feedback from health economist focus group on the first draft, c) initial wording review, d) professional English language editing, e) piloting with former mental health care users and carers, and f) formal translatability assessment. More information about the initial development process can be found here.
To improve usability, transferability and translatability, the PECUNIA RUM underwent further adaptations and language simplifications during 2024, leading to the creation of a more concise, updated and flexible Version 2, which has matching proxy-completion and flexible recall period versions. Translations are available in multiple languages such as Dutch, German, Macedonian, Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian. A comprehensive User Manual is also available to provide guidance on effective use.
Researchers considering digital implementation should review adaptation plans as part of licensing to maintain the PECUNIA RUM’s measurement integrity.
Access/permission
To obtain permissions to use the PECUNIA RUM, you will first need to complete and submit a copyright licence application.
Please complete the online application form via Oxford University Innovation’s licensing portal.
Anyone wishing to use the instrument for non-commercial research, healthcare and academic teaching activities can do so free-of-charge but must apply for a licence.
Fees for commercial use may be applicable and are subject to details provided within your licence application or follow-up communications.
Once your licence is granted, you will receive the PECUNIA RUM and any support documents you requested via email.
If you have any licensing queries, please contact Oxford University Innovation’s Clinical Outcomes team via email at healthoutcomes@innovation.ox.ac.uk.
For questions about using the PECUNIA RUM, please contact us via email at pecunia@meduniwien.ac.at.
The use of the PECUNIA RUM is free for non-commercial purposes conditional upon citation of the PECUNIA RUM tool and its development in any resulting work/publication as follows: