Related Experiment Videos
Using discrete choice experiments to go beyond clinical outcomes when evaluating clinical practice
Mandy Ryan1, Kirsten Major, Diane Skåtun
1Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2QN, UK. m.ryan@abdn.ac.uk
Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
|July 14, 2005
Summary
Patients value reducing rheumatology wait times, but a pain management service offers greater perceived benefit. This study used a discrete choice experiment to determine patient preferences for healthcare service improvements.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Rheumatology Services
Background:
- Previous studies found no clinical outcome differences between fast-track and standard rheumatology appointments.
- Rationing healthcare by waiting times may not harm patient health but overlooks patient-valued time reductions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the monetary value patients place on reduced waiting times in rheumatology.
- To assess patient valuation of appointment duration changes and the introduction of a pain management service.
Main Methods:
- A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was employed to elicit patient preferences.
- The study included 262 patients receiving specialist rheumatology opinions in the Lothian and Borders region.
Main Results:
- Patients assigned a monetary value of £131 to a 9-week reduction in waiting time.
- A pain management service was valued more highly by patients at £209.
- The DCE approach demonstrated internal consistency and theoretical validity.
Conclusions:
- While reducing waiting times is a key National Health Service (NHS) policy, a pain management service provides greater patient-perceived benefit than a 9-week wait reduction.
- Discrete choice experiments are a valuable tool for assessing the value of different healthcare interventions.