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Incentivizing Rural Work Preferences Among Specialist Physicians: Protocol for a Discrete Choice Experiment
Anushree Joshi1, Jallavi Panchamia1, Apurvakumar Pandya1
1Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavioral Science, Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
JMIR Research Protocols
|December 9, 2024
Summary
This study used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to understand what specialist physicians prefer when considering rural jobs in India. Findings will inform policies to attract doctors to underserved areas.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Health Economics
- Medical Workforce Planning
Background:
- Rural India faces a critical shortage of specialist physicians, impacting healthcare delivery.
- This shortfall affects key specialties like medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, and surgery.
- Effective rural retention strategies and policy interventions are urgently needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a discrete choice experiment (DCE) methodology for assessing specialist physicians' job preferences.
- To understand factors influencing physicians' decisions to work in underserved rural areas.
- To inform the design of incentive packages to improve rural physician retention.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design combining qualitative and quantitative approaches.
- Qualitative phase: Literature review, pilot work, interviews, and expert consultations to identify job attributes.
- Quantitative phase: A D-efficient design using Ngene software for choice scenarios, administered to physicians in Rajasthan.
Main Results:
- The study identified 6 key job attributes with 14 levels through qualitative data.
- A total of 36 choice situations were generated and blocked for the DCE.
- Preliminary analysis confirmed the instrument's validity and reliability; full analysis is ongoing.
Conclusions:
- The DCE protocol offers a systematic approach to evaluating specialist physician preferences for rural practice.
- This research will provide foundational insights for developing targeted incentive schemes and policies.
- The findings are expected to significantly influence strategies for improving rural healthcare in India.
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