Nepalese Cancer Patients' Willingness to Pay for Improved Quality of Life: A Choice Experiment Study

Background/Objectives: In Nepal, cancer, among non-communicable diseases, has a high mortality rate. The disease significantly affects patients' quality of life (QoL). This study aims to identify key attributes of QoL and explore patients' preferences regarding these attributes. Methods: We implement a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey to understand cancer patients' preferences for different attributes of QoL, their willingness to pay for improved QoL, and their preference heterogeneity. This study innovatively uses the EuroQol measure in a DCE setting to elicit the patients' preferences and their willingness to pay. Results: Using a random parameter logit model, we find that cancer patients prefer lower levels of pain and higher levels of performing usual activities. Overall, we find that cancer patients are willing to pay a total amount of about NRS 2.6 million [about USD 26,000] for improved quality of life. Our analysis also shows that preference heterogeneity exists among cancer patients, and the presence of uncertainty in the preferences of patients does not affect the results. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the preferences and willingness to pay for improved quality of life among cancer patients in Nepal. Understanding these preferences can inform healthcare policy and resource allocation decisions aimed at improving the QoL of cancer patients in the region.