A preference-based value framework to assess healthcare provision in an oil and gas industry

The aim of this study was to develop the Remote Health Value Framework to evaluate the models of healthcare provision for workers in the oil and gas sector, predominantly situated in rural and remote areas.

The framework was co-designed with the leadership team in one global oil and gas company using a multi-criteria decision analysis approach with a conjoint analysis component. This was used to elicit and understand preferences and trade-offs among different value domains that were important to the stakeholders with respect to the provision of healthcare for its workers. Preference elicitation and interviews were conducted with a mix of health, safety, and environment (HSE) team and non-HSE managers and leaders.

Out of five presented value domains, participants considered the attribute 'Improving health outcomes of employees' the most important aspect for the model of healthcare which accounted for 37.3% of the total utility score. Alternatively, the 'Program cost' attribute was least important to the participants, accounting for only 11.0% of the total utility score. The marginal willingness-to-pay analysis found that participants would be willing to pay A$9090 per utile for an improvement in a particular value attribute.

This is the first value framework for healthcare delivery in the oil and gas industry, contextualised by its delivery within rural and remote locations. It provides a systematic and transparent method for creating value-based healthcare models. This approach facilitates the evaluation of healthcare investments, ensuring they align with value domains prioritised by the HSE and leadership teams.