The veil of experience: do consumers prefer what they know best?

A choice experiment of older patients' preferences for kidney failure treatments

Most older people with kidney failure choose between treatment with dialysis or conservative kidney management. The preferences underlying these decisions are poorly understood. Here, we performed a choice experiment, informed by qualitative research, to examine preferences for the characteristics of dialysis and conservative management among over-65-year-olds with eGFR of 20 mls or under/min/1.73m2. Mixed logit and latent class analyses quantified the trade-offs between frequency and location of treatments, survival, and capability (the ability to do important activities), accounting for participants' characteristics. Overall, 327 United Kingdom participants across 23 centers (median age 77 years, eGFR 14 mls/min/1.73m 2) needed 8%-59% absolute survival benefit two years after starting treatment to accept dialysis, with preferences for less frequent treatment and treatment at home. Significantly higher preferences for survival were seen amongst partnered participants (effect size 0.04, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.06) and if better levels of capability were depicted (effect size 0.02, 0.01-0.03). Three latent classes were identified with divergent preferences for survival, capability, and location of care. Stated preferences indicated participants favored higher survival probabilities, but only if their capability was preserved and the location and frequency of care were acceptable. Subgroups may prioritize survival, hospital avoidance, or in-center care. Clinicians supporting people making kidney failure treatment decisions must explore their goals and values. Thus, investment in services that prioritize capability and ensure treatment is delivered at a frequency acceptable to people in their preferred location would enable provision of preference sensitive care.

Identifying, Understanding, and Minimizing Unconscious Cognitive Biases in Perioperative Crisis Management: A Narrative Review

Rapid clinical decision-making behavior is often based on pattern recognition and other mental shortcuts. Although such behavior is often faster than deliberative thinking, it can also lead to errors due to unconscious cognitive biases (UCBs). UCBs may contribute to inaccurate diagnoses, hamper interpersonal communication, trigger inappropriate clinical interventions, or result in management delays. The authors review the literature on UCBs and discuss their potential impact on perioperative crisis management. Using the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA), publications with the most relevance to UCBs in perioperative crisis management were selected for inclusion. Of the 19 UCBs that have been most investigated in the medical literature, the authors identified 9 that were judged to be clinically relevant or most frequently occurring during perioperative crisis management. Formal didactic training on concepts of deliberative thinking has had limited success in reducing the presence of UCBs during clinical decision-making. The evolution of clinical decision support tools (CDSTs) has demonstrated efficacy in improving deliberative clinical decision-making, possibly by reducing the intrusion of maladaptive UCBs and forcing reflective thinking. Anesthesiology remains a leader in perioperative crisis simulation and CDST implementation, but spearheading innovations to reduce the adverse impact of UCBs will further improve diagnostic precision and patient safety during perioperative crisis management.

Patient preferences for models of care for fibromyalgia: A discrete choice experiment

BACKGROUND

Fibromyalgia is a common reason for referral to a rheumatologist and is a centralised pain state with symptoms beginning in adolescence/early adulthood and manifests as pain throughout the body, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. Whilst there is considerable evidence on effective treatments, diagnosis and management are complex. There is almost no evidence on how to organise health services to deliver recommended therapies. The aim of the current study was to understand patient preferences for different features of healthcare services for fibromyalgia.

METHODOLOGY

We use the Discrete Choice Experiment Method (DCE), a choice-based survey that quantifies preferences for attributes of goods, services or policy interventions, to elicit preferences in relation to alternative models of care for people with fibromyalgia. In this study, attributes describe different models of care for fibromyalgia. We based attributes and levels on earlier phases of the PACFiND project and a literature review on fibromyalgia models of care. The final analysis sample consisted of 518 respondents who completed the survey in full.

RESULTS

The final analysis sample consisted of 518 respondents ((patients living in the UK, over 18 years old, with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia), who completed the survey in full. The model of care most preferred is one characterised by earlier diagnosis and ongoing management by a Rheumatologist, via Face-to-face or Phone/video call appointments, with a stronger preference for the latter mode of support. The most preferred treatment was Medication, followed by Physical Therapy, with the least preferred being Talking Therapy. Relative to a Waiting Time for treatment of 6 months, respondents would prefer a lower Waiting Time of 3 months and dislike waiting 12 months for treatment. Respondents showed willingness to receive Ongoing Help and Advice by a Nurse Practitioner or a GP, instead of a Specialist Rheumatologist, provided they were compensated by other changes in the model of care.

CONCLUSION

This study has found that, although respondents express a preference for specialist care, provided by a Rheumatologist, they may be willing to trade-off this preference against other features within a model of care. This willingness to accept a different skill-mix (e.g., appointments with a GP or a Nurse Practitioner) has important implications for practice and policy, as this is a more feasible option in settings where the availability of specialist care is highly constrained.

Putting the Choice in Choice Tasks: Incorporating Preference Elicitation Tasks in Health Preference Research

Choice-based preference elicitation methods such as the discrete choice experiment (DCE) present hypothetical choices to respondents, with an expectation that these hypothetical choices accurately reflect a 'real world' health-related decision context and that consequently the choice data can be held to be a true representation of the respondent's health or treatment preferences. For this to be the case, careful consideration needs to be given to the format of the choice task in a choice experiment. The overarching aim of this paper is to highlight important aspects to consider when designing and 'setting up' the choice tasks to be presented to respondents in a DCE. This includes the importance of considering the potential impact of format (e.g. choice context, choice set presentation and size) as well as choice set content (e.g. labelled and unlabelled choice sets and inclusion of reference alternatives) and choice questions (stated choice versus additional questions designed to explore complete preference orders) on the preference estimates that are elicited from studies. We endeavoure to instil a holistic approach to choice task design that considers format alongside content, experimental design and analysis.

Survey of Danish Head and Neck Cancer Patients' Positions on Personalized Medicine, Gene Tests, and Personalized Follow-Up

The field of personalized medicine (PM) has grown rapidly because of the "omics revolution", but PM may be difficult for patients to comprehend. This study sought to explore head and neck cancer (HNC) patients' positions and knowledge of PM, gene tests, and follow-up and to compare HNC patients' positions to a sample from a national Danish questionnaire. To do this, patients with prior HNC were invited to participate in a questionnaire. Initial interviews revealed a heterogenic understanding of PM between patients. A total of 226 patients were included in the survey and 177 patients with complete data were included for analysis. Most patients were more positive than negative towards gene tests and gene research (83% and 93%, respectively), but 72% had little or no knowledge of the subject. Almost all patients, 98%, were satisfied with their follow-up. Significantly more patients with HNC were positive towards gene research compared to a sample from a national Danish questionnaire (p < 0.001). Patients with HNC were positive towards gene tests and PM, but patients may not understand or comprehend the information given, and it is important to inform and educate patients and health professionals to establish common ground in PM.

Exploring the Preferences of Parents of Children with Myopia in Rural China for Eye Care Services Under Privatization Policy: Evidence from a Discrete Choice Experiment

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to measure the preferences and valuations of parents of students with myopia parents for eye care service attributes in rural China, and to quantify the potential welfare impacts of privatization policy on children's eye care services.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment was designed and implemented among a sample of parents of children with myopia in rural China. We randomly selected 350 participants from the list of subjects obtained from local town schools and family doctors using a random number table method. The participants were asked to choose between two hypothetical scenarios defined by five attributes: provider type, distance, price, lenses type, and refractionists' professional competencies. We estimate conditional logit and mixed logit models to approximate individual preferences for these attributes and estimate the welfare effects by calculating willingness to pay.

RESULTS

Respondents (n = 336) showed a significant preference for public providers of refractive error services, myopia control lenses, and professional refractionists (P < 0.01 for each). Consumer welfare losses due to a prohibition of the public provision of refractive error services could be compensated by improving the quality of products and services delivered by private providers. Lastly, both parent and child demographics and previous experience of eye care service consumption are important predictors of willingness to pay for refractive error services.

CONCLUSIONS

The privatization policy on children's eye care services would not cater to the preferences of rural consumers, inevitably leading to welfare losses. However, reduced consumer welfare could be compensated by improving the quality of products and service delivery from private providers. These results could help inform strategies to improve and reduce inequities in access to high-quality eye care services in rural China.

Preferences for Adjuvant Immunotherapy in Adults with Resected Stage III Melanoma-A Discrete Choice Experiment

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to quantify adult preferences for adjuvant immunotherapy for resected melanoma and the influence of varying levels of key attributes and baseline characteristics.

METHODS

A D-efficient design generated 12 choice tasks for two alternative treatments, adjuvant immunotherapy or no adjuvant immunotherapy. Recruitment to the online discrete choice experiment (DCE) occurred via survey dissemination by eight Australian melanoma consumer and professional groups, targeting adults with resected stage III melanoma, considering or having received adjuvant immunotherapy. The DCE included six attributes with two to three levels each, including 3-year risk of recurrence, mild, permanent and fatal adverse events (AEs), drug regimen and annual out-of-pocket costs. A mixed multinomial logit model was used to estimate preferences and calculate marginal rates of substitution and marginal willingness to pay (mWTP).

RESULTS

The DCE was completed by 116 respondents, who chose adjuvant immunotherapy over no adjuvant immunotherapy in 70% of choice tasks. Respondents preferred adjuvant immunotherapy when associated with reduced: probabilities of recurrence, permanent and fatal AEs, and out-of-pocket costs. mWTP for an absolute reduction of 1% in 3-year risk of recurrence was less for respondents with lower rather than higher incomes, AU$794 (US$527) and AU$2190 (US$1454) per year. Respondents accepted an additional 4% chance of a permanent AE to reduce their absolute risk of 3-year recurrence by 1%. Respondents were willing to accept an extra 2% chance of 3-year recurrence to lower their chance of a fatal AE by 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost three-quarters of respondents chose adjuvant immunotherapy over no adjuvant immunotherapy, preferring treatment that improved efficacy and safety. Findings may inform decisions about access to adjuvant immunotherapy following surgery for melanoma.

Attributes in stated preference elicitation studies on colorectal cancer screening and their relative importance for decision-making among screenees: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The SIGMO study (Sigmoidoscopy as an evidence-based colorectal cancer screening test - a possible option?) examines screening eligible populations' preferences for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Germany using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Attribute identification and selection are essential for the construction of choice tasks and should be evidence-based. As a part of the SIGMO study this systematic review provides an overview of attributes included in studies eliciting stated preferences for CRC screening tests and their relative importance for decision-making.

METHODS

Systematic search (November 2021) for English-language studies published since January 2000 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition, LIVIVO and PsycINFO. DCEs and conjoint analysis ranking or rating tasks on screening eligible populations' preferences for stool testing, sigmoidoscopy, and/or colonoscopy were included. Attributes were extracted and their relative importance was calculated and ranked. Risk of bias (RoB) of included studies was assessed using a modified GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Study selection and RoB rating were carried out independently by two reviewers. Data were extracted by one reviewer and checked by another one.

RESULTS

A total of 23 publications on 22 studies were included. Overall RoB was rated as serious/critical for 21 studies and as moderate for 2 studies. Main reasons for high RoB were non-random sampling, low response rates, lack of non-responder analyses, and, to a lesser extent, weaknesses in the measurement instrument and data analysis. Extracted attributes (n = 120) referred to procedure-related characteristics (n = 42; 35%), structural characteristics of health care (n = 24; 20%), test characteristics (n = 23; 19%), harms (n = 16; 13%), benefits (n = 13; 11%), and level of evidence (n = 2; 2%). Most important attributes were reduction in CRC mortality (and incidence) (n = 7), test sensitivity (n = 7), out-of-pocket costs (n = 4), procedure (n = 3), and frequency (n = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

Health preference studies on CRC were found to have a high RoB. The composition of choice tasks revealed a lack of attributes on patient-important outcomes (like incidence reduction), while attributes not considered relevant for individual screening decisions (like sensitivity) were frequently used. Future studies eliciting stated preferences in cancer screening should apply the principles of informed decision-making in attribute identification and selection.

Women's priorities towards ovarian cancer testing: a best-worst scaling study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the importance of key characteristics relating to diagnostic testing for ovarian cancer and to understand how previous test experience influences priorities.

DESIGN

Case 1 best-worst scaling embedded in an online survey.

SETTING

Primary care diagnostic testing in England and Wales.

PARTICIPANTS

150 women with ovaries over 40 years old living in England and Wales.

METHODS

We used best-worst scaling, a preference-based survey method, to elicit the relative importance of 25 characteristics relating to ovarian cancer testing following a systematic review. Responses were modelled using conditional logit regression. Subgroup analysis investigated variations based on testing history.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Relative importance scores.

RESULTS

'Chance of dying from ovarian cancer' (0.380, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.49) was the most important factor to respondents, closely followed by 'test sensitivity' (0.308, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.40). In contrast, 'time away from usual activities' (-0.244, 95% CI -0.33 to -0.15) and 'gender of healthcare provider' (-0.243, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.14) were least important to respondents overall. Women who had previously undergone testing placed higher importance on certain characteristics including 'openness of healthcare providers' and 'chance of diagnosing another condition' at the expense of reduced emphasis on characteristics such as 'pain and discomfort' and 'time away from usual activities'.

CONCLUSIONS

The results clearly demonstrated items at the extreme, which were most and least important to women considering ovarian cancer testing. Differences in priorities by testing history demonstrate an experience effect, whereby preferences adapt over time based on evidence and experience. Acknowledging these differences helps to identify underlying barriers and facilitators for women with no test experience as well as shortcomings of current service based on women with experience.

Attributes Characterizing Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests That Influence Preferences of Individuals Eligible for Screening in Germany: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE

This qualitative study is part of the SIGMO study, which evaluates general populations' preferences for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Germany using a discrete choice experiment. Attribute identification and selection are essential in the construction of choice tasks and should be evidence-based ensuring that attributes are relevant to potential beneficiaries and contribute to overall utility. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to identify relevant attributes characterizing CRC screening tests from the perspective of those eligible for screening in Germany.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Individuals aged 50 to 60 were purposively selected. A questioning route was developed and piloted. Four focus groups (FG) (n=20) were conducted (November 2019) with two moderators and one observer each. FGs were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Attributes were deductively assigned based on a priori identified attribute categories, and inductively derived.

RESULTS

Across FGs, 24 attributes (n=293 codes) were discussed, five of which (sedation, inability to work, transportation home, predictive values, waiting time for screening colonoscopy) were inductively derived (n=76 codes). Four attributes identified a priori were not addressed in any FG. The most frequently discussed attribute category was procedural characteristics, followed by measures of screening test validity, benefits, harms, and structural characteristics of health care. The most commonly addressed attributes were preprocedural bowel cleansing, kind of procedure, and predictive values.

CONCLUSION

Newly identified attributes characterizing CRC screening tests from an individual's perspective, and a priori identified attributes not addressed by any FG stress the added value of qualitative research and thereby the importance of applying a mix of methods in identifying and selecting attributes for the construction of choice tasks. This study meets the requirements for a transparent and detailed presentation of the qualitative methods used in this process, which has rarely been the case before.

Patient Preferences for Anxiety and Depression Screening in Cancer Care: A Discrete Choice Experiment

OBJECTIVES

Screening for anxiety and depression in cancer care is recommended, as identification is the first step in managing anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, patient preferences for anxiety and depression screening in cancer care are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate and identify the aspects of an anxiety and depression screening program cancer patients value most, to inform decision-makers about ways to improve patient uptake and ultimately, the provision of patient-centered care.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment was designed and implemented within an Australian cancer population sample. Participants were presented with a series of hypothetical screening programs labeled as "screening program 1" and "screening program 2" and were asked to choose their preferred one. The discrete choice experiment was administered using an online survey platform. A mixed logit and a latent class analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 294) preferred screening to be conducted by a cancer nurse, face-to-face, and at regular intervals (monthly or every 3 months). Participants also preferred follow-up care to be delivered by mental health professionals embedded within the cancer care team. Factors that influenced preferences were the low cost and short waiting times for access to care.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer patients prefer cancer services with integrated mental healthcare services. To maximize patient uptake, anxiety and depression screening programs should be routinely offered, delivered by oncology healthcare staff in a face-to-face format, and, postscreening, to be care for by mental health professionals embedded within the cancer service.

Attributes Used for Cancer Screening Discrete Choice Experiments: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Evidence from discrete choice experiments can be used to enrich understanding of preferences, inform the (re)design of screening programmes and/or improve communication within public campaigns about the benefits and harms of screening. However, reviews of screening discrete choice experiments highlight significant discrepancies between stated choices and real choices, particularly regarding willingness to undergo cancer screening. The identification and selection of attributes and associated levels is a fundamental component of designing a discrete choice experiment. Misspecification or misinterpretation of attributes may lead to non-compensatory behaviours, attribute non-attendance and responses that lack external validity.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to synthesise evidence on attribute development, alongside an in-depth review of included attributes and methodological challenges, to provide a resource for researchers undertaking future studies in cancer screening.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted to identify discrete choice experiments estimating preferences towards cancer screening, dated between 1990 and December 2020. Data were synthesised narratively. In-depth analysis of attributes led to classification into four categories: test specific, service delivery, outcomes and monetary. Attribute significance and relative importance were also analysed. The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research conjoint analysis checklist was used to assess the quality of reporting.

RESULTS

Forty-nine studies were included at full text. They covered a range of cancer sites: over half (26/49) examined colorectal screening. Most studies elicited general public preferences (34/49). In total, 280 attributes were included, 90% (252/280) of which were significant. Overall, test sensitivity and mortality reduction were most frequently found to be the most important to respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in reporting the identification, selection and construction of attributes used within cancer screening discrete choice experiments are needed. This review also highlights the importance of considering the complexity of choice tasks when considering risk information or compound attributes. Patient and public involvement and stakeholder engagement are recommended to optimise understanding of unavoidably complex choice tasks throughout the design process. To ensure quality and maximise comparability across studies, further research is needed to develop a risk-of-bias measure for discrete choice experiments.

Discrete Choice Experiments to Elicit Patient Preferences for Decision Making in Transplantation

Providing care for transplant recipients is challenging given the need to maintain optimal graft function and survival while managing the debilitating side effects and complications associated with immunosuppression including infection, cancer, new-onset diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Given the complexity of treatment options and the uncertainty about long-term benefits and harms of treatment, understanding patient preferences and values are key to ensuring that clinical decisions take into consideration patient priorities to support shared decision making and self-management. Choice experiments are increasingly used to quantify patient and community preferences, including in the field of transplantation. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are a well-established, validated methodology used to elicit preferences for decision making in health and other settings. In transplantation, for example, DCEs have been used to elicit patient preferences for outcomes following kidney transplantation, to identify community preferences factors for organ allocation and in establishing core outcomes. This article provides an overview of the concepts and methods used in the design of DCEs and how patients' preferences can be applied in shared decision making in transplantation.

National health insurance and the choice of delivery facility among expectant mothers in Ghana

The effectiveness of health insurance in removing barriers to the utilisation of maternal healthcare in order to curb maternal mortality especially in developing countries is gaining ground. However, in assessing the effects of health insurance on choice of delivery facilities, previous studies either put all delivery services together and used binary techniques or failed to address endogeneity problem. Moreover, the age of data used for such analysis in Ghana may not tell a convincing story. This study used data from the 2014 to 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys with a sample of 6319 women and employed multinomial endogenous treatment effects models with Conditional Mixed Process estimator to examine the effects of national health insurance scheme (NHIS) on the choice delivery facility in Ghana. We found that NHIS has varied effects on the use of delivery services across service providers in the health system. Relative to home delivery services, being insured increases the probability of using public hospitals, public clinics and private health facilities for delivery by 20.3 percent, 9.1 percent and 2.3 percent respectively. Moreover, relative to an insured woman who gave birth before 2008, her counterpart who gave birth after 2008 is 6.3 percent, 4.9 percent and 0.77 percent more likely to use public hospitals, public clinics and private health facilities respectively for delivery.

Benefit-Risk or Risk-Benefit Trade-Offs? Another Look at Attribute Ordering Effects in a Pilot Choice Experiment

BACKGROUND

Studies recommend randomising the order of attributes in discrete choice experiments (DCEs) to avoid bias; however, in a benefit-risk setting, this may increase the cognitive burden of respondents who compare the benefits and risks of treatments, or may affect their decision-making process. Based on these concerns, this paper explored attribute ordering effects in a benefit-risk DCE.

METHOD

Attribute ordering effects were explored in a large pilot DCE relating to the medical treatment of insomnia. Participants were randomised to one of three presentation orders: (1) benefits were presented before risks (BR); (2) risks were presented before benefits (RB); (3) all attributes were randomised (RN). For the RB and BR presentation orders, attributes were randomised within benefits and risks. Responses were assessed in three ways. First, variations in respondents' self-reported choice certainty were obtained. Second, variations in failure rates of stability and dominance tests were calculated. Third, a heteroscedastic error component model tested for differences in choice consistency across the three attribute orderings.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 156 respondents (RN: 54; BR: 49; RB: 53). No differences were found between the presentation orders with respect to stated choice certainty, or the proportion of respondents failing either the dominance or stability test. However, deterministic attribute grouping was associated with higher choice consistency.

CONCLUSION

To increase choice consistency, DCE attributes should be randomised within logical groups that may be further randomised to reduce the risk of ordering effects.

Perceptions and preferences for long-acting injectable and implantable medications in comparison to short-acting medications for opioid use disorders

Aim

Treatment for opioid use disorders has recently evolved to include long-acting injectable and implantable formulations of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Incorporating patient preferences into treatment for substance use disorders is associated with increased motivation and treatment satisfaction. This study sought to assess treatment preferences for long-acting injectable and implantable MOUD as compared to short-acting formulations among individuals with OUD.

Methods

We conducted qualitative, semi-structured telephone interviews with forty adults recruited from across the United States through Craigslist advertisements and flyers posted in treatment programs. Eligible participants scored a two or greater on the heroin or opioid pain reliever sections of the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medications, and Other Substances (TAPS) Tool, indicative of a past-year OUD. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed.

Results

Twenty-four participants (60%) currently or previously had been prescribed MOUD. Sixteen participants (40%) expressed general opposition to MOUD, citing concerns that MOUD is purely financial gain for pharmaceutical companies and/or a "band aid" solution replacing one drug with another, rather than a path to abstinence. Some participants expressed personal preference for long-acting injectable (n = 16/40: 40%) and implantable formulations (n = 12/40: 30%) over short-acting formulations. About half of the participants were not willing to use injectables (n = 19/40: 48%) or implantables (n = 22/40: 55%), preferring short-acting formulations. Mixed evaluations of long- and short-acting MOUD focused on considerations of medication-related beliefs (privacy, concern over an embedded foreign body), the medication-related burden (convenience, provision of structure and support, medication administration, potential side effects), and medication-taking practices (potential for non-prescribed use, control over dosage, and duration of treatment).

Conclusions

Though many participants personally prefer short-acting to long-acting MOUD, some were open to including long-acting formulations in the range of options for those with OUD. Participants felt long-acting formulations may reduce medication-related burden and the risk of diversion. Conversely, participants expressed concern about invasive administration and loss of control over their treatment. Results suggest support for expanded access to a variety of formulations of MOUD. The use of shared decision making may also help patients select the formulation best aligned with their experiences, values, and treatment goals.

Endometrial cancer patients' preferences for follow-up after treatment: A cross-sectional survey

PURPOSE

Alternatives to hospital follow-up (HFU) following treatment for cancer have been advocated. Telephone follow-up (TFU) and patient-initiated follow-up are being implemented but it is unclear if these approaches will meet the preferences and needs of patients. This study aimed to explore the preferences of endometrial cancer patients and their levels of satisfaction with HFU and nurse-led TFU.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey design was utilised and a questionnaire was administered to 236 patients who had participated in a randomised controlled trial comparing HFU with TFU for women diagnosed with Stage I endometrial cancer (ENDCAT trial).

RESULTS

211 (89.4%) patients returned the questionnaire; 105 in the TFU group and 106 in the HFU group. The TFU group were more likely to indicate that appointments were on time (p < 0.001) and were more likely to report that their appointments were thorough (p = 0.011). Participants tended to prefer what was familiar to them. Those in the HFU group tended to prefer hospital-based appointments while the TFU group tended to prefer appointments with a clinical nurse specialist, regardless of locality.

CONCLUSIONS

To provide patient centred follow-up services we need to ensure that patient preferences are taken into account and understand that patients may come to prefer what they have experienced. Patient initiated approaches may become standard and preferred practice but TFU remains a high-quality alternative to HFU and may provide an effective transition between HFU and patient-initiated approaches.

Designing Unforced Choice Experiments to Inform Health Care Decision Making: Implications of Using Opt-Out, Neither, or Status Quo Alternatives in Discrete Choice Experiments

Background. Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are increasingly used in the health care context to inform on patient preferences for health care services. In order for such experiments to provide useful and policy-relevant information, it is vital that the design includes those options that the respondent faces in the real-life situation. Whether to include opt-out, neither, or status quo alternatives has, however, received little attention in the DCE literature. We aim to investigate whether the use of different unforced choice formats affects DCE results in different settings: 1) opt-out versus neither in a health care market where there is no status quo and 2) including status quo in addition to opt-out in a health care market with a status quo. Design. A DCE on Dutch citizens’ preferences for personal health records served as our case, and 3189 respondents were allocated to the different unforced choice formats. We used mixed logit error component models to estimate preferences. Results. We found that the use of different unforced choice formats affects marginal utilities and welfare estimates and hence the conclusions that will be drawn from the DCE to inform health care decision making. Conclusions. To avoid biased estimates, we recommend that researchers are hesitant to use the neither option and consider including a status quo in addition to opt-out in settings where a status quo exists.

Preferences for Surveillance of Barrett's Oesophagus: a Discrete Choice Experiment

PURPOSE

Endoscopic surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus is undertaken to detect dysplasia and early cancer, and to facilitate early intervention. Evidence supporting current practice is of low quality and often influenced by opinion. This study investigated the preferences of patients for surveillance of Barrett's oesophagus in an Australian cohort.

METHODS

Four Barrett's oesophagus surveillance characteristics/attributes were evaluated within a discrete choice experiment based on literature and expert opinion: (1) surveillance method (endoscopy vs a blood test vs a novel breath test), (2) risk of missing a cancer over a 10-year period, (3) screening interval, and (4) out-of-pocket cost. The data from the discrete choice experiment was analysed within the framework of random utility theory using a mixed logit regression model.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised patients (n = 71) undergoing endoscopic surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus of whom n = 65 completed the discrete choice experiment. The sample was predominantly male (77%) with average age of 65 years. All attributes except surveillance method significantly influenced respondents' preference for Barrett's oesophagus surveillance. Policy analyses suggested that compared to the reference case (i.e. endoscopy provided annually at no upfront cost and with a 4% risk of missing cancer), increasing test sensitivity to 0.5% risk of missing cancer would increase participation by up to 50%; surveillance every 5 years would lead to 26% reduction, while every 3 to 3.5 years would result in 7% increase in participation. Respondents were highly averse to paying A$500 for the test, resulting in 48% reduction in participation. None of the other surveillance methods was preferred to endoscopy, both resulting in 11% reduction in participation.

CONCLUSION

Test sensitivity, test frequency and out-of-pocket cost were the key factors influencing surveillance uptake. Patients prefer a test with the highest sensitivity, offered frequently, that incurs no upfront costs.

Including Opt-Out Options in Discrete Choice Experiments: Issues to Consider

Providing an opt-out alternative in discrete choice experiments can often be considered to be important for presenting real-life choice situations in different contexts, including health. However, insufficient attention has been given to how best to address choice behaviours relating to this opt-out alternative when modelling discrete choice experiments, particularly in health studies. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how to account for different opt-out effects in choice models. We aim to contribute to a better understanding of how to model opt-out choices and show the consequences of addressing the effects in an incorrect fashion. We present our code written in the R statistical language so that others can explore these issues in their own data. In this practical guideline, we generate synthetic data on medication choice and use Monte Carlo simulation. We consider three different definitions for the opt-out alternative and four candidate models for each definition. We apply a frequentist-based multimodel inference approach and use performance indicators to assess the relative suitability of each candidate model in a range of settings. We show that misspecifying the opt-out effect has repercussions for marginal willingness to pay estimation and the forecasting of market shares. Our findings also suggest a number of key recommendations for DCE practitioners interested in exploring these issues. There is no unique best way to analyse data collected from discrete choice experiments. Researchers should consider several models so that the relative support for different hypotheses of opt-out effects can be explored.

Using nominal group technique to identify barriers, facilitators, and preferences among patients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder: A needs assessment for decision making support

BACKGROUND

The opioid crisis requires rapid scale-up of evidence-based interventions to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), of which pharmacologic therapies with methadone, buprenorphine or long-acting naltrexone are most effective. With recently-developed formulations, there are unprecedented treatment options. Even when pharmacologic treatment is accessible, however, uptake remains low, suggesting individual-level barriers. Decision aids are an evidence-based strategy that may overcome these barriers. This study aims to inform such a tool by describing and rank-ordering patients' considerations when deciding whether to start medication and, if starting, choosing a medication.

METHODS

Adults with OUD (N = 81) attending an addiction treatment center or syringe exchange program completed focus groups using nominal group technique, a consensus method that generates and ranks response. The qualitative component generates a broad array of responses, followed by rank-ordering to prioritize responses. Responses to questions about starting any medications and the pros and cons of five specific medications were ranked and coded.

RESULTS

The decision to initiate pharmacologic therapy and choose among medications was influenced by six key attributes in decreasing priority: (1) benefits, (2) side effects of treatment, (3) medication delivery strategies, (4) convenience, (5) how expectations for treatment are met, and (6) how medication (especially methadone) can represents trading one addiction for another.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacologic properties, logistical factors, and managing expectations were important themes in decision-making for starting, choosing, and staying on medications, and to a lesser degree, negative views about medications, specifically OAT, as an addiction itself. Desire for more control over treatment persisted in all themes. This study identified specific knowledge gaps, expectations, and priorities which are important for developing a decision aid for OUD treatment relevant to the target group. Nominal group technique is an established mixed-methodology that we have applied to a new population and purpose, that of conducting needs assessment for decision aid development.

CUBES: A practical toolkit to measure enablers and barriers to behavior for effective intervention design

A pressing goal in global development and other sectors is often to understand what drives people’s behaviors, and how to influence them. Yet designing behavior change interventions is often an unsystematic process, hobbled by insufficient understanding of contextual and perceptual behavioral drivers and a narrow focus on limited research methods to assess them. We propose a toolkit (CUBES) of two solutions to help programs arrive at more effective interventions. First, we introduce a novel framework of behavior, which is a practical tool for programs to structure potential drivers and match corresponding interventions. This evidence-based framework was developed through extensive cross-sectoral literature research and refined through application in large-scale global development programs. Second, we propose a set of descriptive, experimental, and simulation approaches that can enhance and expand the methods commonly used in global development. Since not all methods are equally suited to capture the different types of drivers of behavior, we present a decision aid for method selection. We recommend that existing commonly used methods, such as observations and surveys, use CUBES as a scaffold and incorporate validated measures of specific types of drivers in order to comprehensively test all the potential components of a target behavior. We also recommend under-used methods from sectors such as market research, experimental psychology, and decision science, which programs can use to extend their toolkit and test the importance and impact of key enablers and barriers. The CUBES toolkit enables programs across sectors to streamline the process of conceptualizing, designing, and optimizing interventions, and ultimately to change behaviors and achieve targeted outcomes.

CUBES: A practical toolkit to measure enablers and barriers to behavior for effective intervention design

A pressing goal in global development and other sectors is often to understand what drives people’s behaviors, and how to influence them. Yet designing behavior change interventions is often an unsystematic process, hobbled by insufficient understanding of contextual and perceptual behavioral drivers and a narrow focus on limited research methods to assess them. We propose a toolkit (CUBES) of two solutions to help programs arrive at more effective interventions. First, we introduce a novel framework of behavior, which is a practical tool for programs to structure potential drivers and match corresponding interventions. This evidence-based framework was developed through extensive cross-sectoral literature research and refined through application in large-scale global development programs. Second, we propose a set of descriptive, experimental, and simulation approaches that can enhance and expand the methods commonly used in global development. Since not all methods are equally suited to capture the different types of drivers of behavior, we present a decision aid for method selection. We recommend that existing commonly used methods, such as observations and surveys, use CUBES as a scaffold and incorporate validated measures of specific types of drivers in order to comprehensively test all the potential components of a target behavior. We also recommend under-used methods from sectors such as market research, experimental psychology, and decision science, which programs can use to extend their toolkit and test the importance and impact of key enablers and barriers. The CUBES toolkit enables programs across sectors to streamline the process of conceptualizing, designing, and optimizing interventions, and ultimately to change behaviors and achieve targeted outcomes.

What Characteristics of Nursing Homes Are Most Valued by Consumers? A Discrete Choice Experiment with Residents and Family Members

OBJECTIVES

To generate a scoring algorithm weighted on the preferences of consumers for assessing the quality of care in nursing homes (i.e., aged care homes or institutions) in six key domains.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment was undertaken with residents of nursing homes (n = 126) or family member proxies (n = 416) in cases where severe cognitive impairment precluded resident participation. Analysis was undertaken using conditional and mixed logit regression models to determine preferences for potential attributes.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that all six attributes investigated were statistically significant factors for participants. Feeling at home in the resident's own room was the most important characteristic to both residents and family members. Care staff being able to spend enough time with residents, feeling at home in shared spaces, and staff being very flexible in care routines were also characteristics identified as important for both groups. The results of the Swait-Louviere test rejected the null hypothesis that the estimated parameters between residents and family members were the same, indicating that data from these two groups could not be pooled to generate a single weighted scoring algorithm for the Consumer Choice Index-Six Dimension instrument. Preferences were therefore encapsulated to generate scoring algorithms specific to residents and family members.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides important insights into the characteristics of nursing home care that are most valued by consumers. The Consumer Choice Index-Six Dimension instrument may be usefully applied in the evaluation, planning, and design of future services.

Gynecological cancer patients' attitudes toward follow-up care after cancer treatment: Do preferences reflect patients' experience? A cross-sectional questionnaire study

INTRODUCTION

Due to an increasing number of cancer patients, new follow-up models are being debated, among them follow-up by general practitioners. Before changing surveillance, it is important to explore patients' views. The purpose of this study was to compare attitudes toward follow-up care among patients treated for gynecological cancer who had not yet started a follow-up regimen, with those who had been attending a hospital-based follow-up regimen for more than one year.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among gynecological cancer patients recruited from three Norwegian hospitals in 2013-2015: Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand, Sørlandet Hospital Arendal and St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim.

RESULTS

In all, 239 patients agreed to participate, 100 who had not yet started follow-up and 139 who had been attending more than one year of follow-up. Patients reported that they preferred to be followed up by a gynecologist rather than by their GP, whom they viewed as less competent for this purpose. However, patients who had not yet started follow-up were more willing to be followed up by a GP. Overall, patients rated detection of recurrence as the most important aspect of follow-up visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The gynecological cancer patients in our study preferred a hospital-based follow-up model. However, patients who had not yet started follow-up were more willing to be followed up by a GP. If follow-up is to be provided by GPs for selected patients, it is important that these patients are informed early of the value and limitations of follow-up visits, to ensure that they feel safe.

Taste, choice and timing: Investigating resident and carer preferences for meals in aged care homes

There has been little empirical investigation of the preferences of people living in aged care homes for food services. The aim of the present study was to elicit consumer preferences and their willingness to pay for food service in aged care homes. Current residents or their family members were invited to take part in the discrete choice experiment questionnaire administered via interview. Of the 109 eligible residents and 175 eligible family members approached for consent 121 (43%) participated, including 43 residents. Participant preferences were influenced by food taste, choice in relation to serving size, timing of meal selection, visual appeal, and additional cost. Participants indicated they would be willing to pay an additional $24 (US$18.42) per week for food which tasted excellent and $8 (US$6.14) per week to have choice in serving sizes. The study found that respondents were willing to pay a premium to receive food that met their expectations of taste, and for a high level of control over serving sizes, which has implications for the funding and provision of food and dining in long-term care in the future.

Decision heuristic or preference? Attribute non-attendance in discrete choice problems

This paper investigates if respondents' choice to not consider all characteristics of a multiattribute health service may represent preferences. Over the last decade, an increasing number of studies account for attribute non-attendance (ANA) when using discrete choice experiments to elicit individuals' preferences. Most studies assume such behaviour is a heuristic and therefore uninformative. This assumption may result in misleading welfare estimates if ANA reflects preferences. This is the first paper to assess if ANA is a heuristic or genuine preference without relying on respondents' self-stated motivation and the first study to explore this question within a health context. Based on findings from cognitive psychology, we expect that familiar respondents are less likely to use a decision heuristic to simplify choices than unfamiliar respondents. We employ a latent class model of discrete choice experiment data concerned with National Health Service managers' preferences for support services that assist with performance concerns. We present quantitative and qualitative evidence that in our study ANA mostly represents preferences. We also show that wrong assumptions about ANA result in inadequate welfare measures that can result in suboptimal policy advice. Future research should proceed with caution when assuming that ANA is a heuristic.

Discrete-choice modelling of patient preferences for modes of drug administration

The administration of (biologically-derived) drugs for various disease conditions involves consumption of resources that constitutes a direct monetary cost to healthcare payers and providers. An often ignored cost relates to a mismatch between patients' preferences and the mode of drug administration. The "intangible" benefits of giving patients what they want in terms of the mode of drug delivery is seldom considered. This study aims to evaluate, in monetary terms, end-user preferences for the non-monetary attributes of different modes of drug administration using a discrete-choice experiment. It provides empirical support to the notion that there are significant benefits from developing patient-friendly approaches to drug delivery. The gross benefits per patient per unit administration is in the same order of magnitude as the savings in resource costs of administering drugs. The study argues that, as long as the underlying manufacturing science is capable, a patient-centred approach to producing drug delivery systems should be encouraged and pursued.

Determining cancer survivors' preferences to inform new models of follow-up care

BACKGROUND

Specialist-led cancer follow-up is becoming increasingly expensive and is failing to meet many survivors' needs. Alternative models informed by survivors' preferences are urgently needed. It is unknown if follow-up preferences differ by cancer type. We conducted the first study to assess British cancer survivors' follow-up preferences, and the first anywhere to compare the preferences of survivors from different cancers.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment questionnaire was mailed to 1201 adults in Northeast Scotland surviving melanoma, breast, prostate or colorectal cancer. Preferences and trade-offs for attributes of cancer follow-up were explored, overall and by cancer site.

RESULTS

668 (56.6%) recipients (132 melanoma, 213 breast, 158 prostate, 165 colorectal) responded. Cancer survivors had a strong preference to see a consultant during a face-to-face appointment when receiving cancer follow-up. However, cancer survivors appeared willing to accept follow-up from specialist nurses, registrars or GPs provided that they are compensated by increased continuity of care, dietary advice and one-to-one counselling. Longer appointments were also valued. Telephone and web-based follow-up and group counselling, were not considered desirable. Survivors of colorectal cancer and melanoma would see any alternative provider for greater continuity, whereas breast cancer survivors wished to see a registrar or specialist nurse, and prostate cancer survivors, a general practitioner.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivors may accept non-consultant follow-up if compensated with changes elsewhere. Care continuity was sufficient compensation for most cancers. Given practicalities, costs and the potential to develop continuous care, specialist nurse-led cancer follow-up may be attractive.

Women's Preferences for Treatment of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) are an international healthcare priority, associated with significant short- and long-term problems for women, their children and families. Effective treatment is available but uptake is suboptimal: some women go untreated whilst others choose treatments without strong evidence of efficacy. Better understanding of women’s preferences for treatment is needed to facilitate uptake of effective treatment. To address this issue, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was administered to 217 pregnant or postnatal women in Australia, who were recruited through an online research company and had similar sociodemographic characteristics to Australian data for perinatal women. The DCE investigated preferences regarding cost, treatment type, availability of childcare, modality and efficacy. Data were analysed using logit-based models accounting for preference and scale heterogeneity. Predicted probability analysis was used to explore relative attribute importance and policy change scenarios, including how these differed by women’s sociodemographic characteristics. Cost and treatment type had the greatest impact on choice, such that a policy of subsidising effective treatments was predicted to double their uptake compared with the base case. There were differences in predicted uptake associated with certain sociodemographic characteristics: for example, women with higher educational attainment were more likely to choose effective treatment. The findings suggest policy directions for decision makers whose goal is to reduce the burden of PNDA on women, their children and families.

Novel application of a discrete choice experiment to identify preferences for a national healthcare-associated infection surveillance programme: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To identify key stakeholder preferences and priorities when considering a national healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance programme through the use of a discrete choice experiment (DCE).

SETTING

Australia does not have a national HAI surveillance programme. An online web-based DCE was developed and made available to participants in Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 184 purposively selected healthcare workers based on their senior leadership role in infection prevention in Australia.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES

A DCE requiring respondents to select 1 HAI surveillance programme over another based on 5 different characteristics (or attributes) in repeated hypothetical scenarios. Data were analysed using a mixed logit model to evaluate preferences and identify the relative importance of each attribute.

RESULTS

A total of 122 participants completed the survey (response rate 66%) over a 5-week period. Excluding 22 who mismatched a duplicate choice scenario, analysis was conducted on 100 responses. The key findings included: 72% of stakeholders exhibited a preference for a surveillance programme with continuous mandatory core components (mean coefficient 0.640 (p<0.01)), 65% for a standard surveillance protocol where patient-level data are collected on infected and non-infected patients (mean coefficient 0.641 (p<0.01)), and 92% for hospital-level data that are publicly reported on a website and not associated with financial penalties (mean coefficient 1.663 (p<0.01)).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the DCE has provided a unique insight to key stakeholder priorities when considering a national HAI surveillance programme. The application of a DCE offers a meaningful method to explore and quantify preferences in this setting.

Stated Preference for Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review of the Literature, 1990-2013

Introduction

Stated-preference methods provide a systematic approach to quantitatively assess the relative preferences for features of cancer screening tests. We reviewed stated-preference studies for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening to identify the types of attributes included, the use of questions to assess uptake, and whether gaps exist in these areas. The goal of our review is to inform research on the design and promotion of public health programs to increase cancer screening.

Methods

Using the PubMed and EconLit databases, we identified studies published in English from January 1990 through July 2013 that measured preferences for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening test attributes using conjoint analysis or a discrete-choice experiment. We extracted data on study characteristics and results. We categorized studies by whether attributes evaluated included screening test, health care delivery characteristics, or both.

Results

Twenty-two studies met the search criteria. Colorectal cancer was the most commonly studied cancer of the 3. Fifteen studies examined only screening test attributes (efficacy, process, test characteristics, and cost). Two studies included only health care delivery attributes (information provided, staff characteristics, waiting time, and distance to facility). Five studies examined both screening test and health care delivery attributes. Overall, cancer screening test attributes had a significant effect on a patient’s selection of a cancer screening test, and health care delivery attributes had mixed effects on choice.

Conclusion

A growing number of studies examine preferences for cancer screening tests. These studies consistently find that screening test attributes, such as efficacy, process, and cost, are significant determinants of choice. Fewer studies have examined the effect of health care delivery attributes on choice, and the results from these studies are mixed. There is a need for additional studies on the barriers to cancer screening uptake, including health care delivery attributes, and the effect of education materials on preferences.

What are the patients' preferences for the Chronic Care Model? An application to the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

CONTEXT

The Chronic Care Model (CCM) has been developed to improve the quality of medical care delivered by general practitioners to patients with multiple chronic conditions. Despite an increasing use of this model, it remains unclear to what extent the different recommendations are valued by the patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify the preferences of patients with multiple chronic conditions for recommendations of the Chronic Care Model.

METHODS

The patients' preferences were identified with a discrete choice experiment. The hypothetical general practice cares were described using 10 recommendations of the Chronic Care Model (i.e. shared decision making; informational continuity (INF); regular follow-up; planned care; communication; collaboration with a nurse; advices on health habits; patient empowerment; psychological support; coordination). Respondents were consecutively recruited in a hospital setting during routine follow-up visits to their pulmonary specialist. The sample of respondents included 150 patients with multiple chronic conditions in addition to an obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

RESULTS

The INF is highly valued by the patients. At the opposite, patients do not appear to value collaboration between nurses and GPs. To a large extent, the patients' preferences for the recommendations of the CCM depend on their gender, number of chronic conditions and self-perceived health condition.

DISCUSSION

The INF appeared to be a minimal requirement to ensure high-quality general practice care. The significant interactions between the patients' socio-demographic characteristics and their preferences for the CCM highlighted the necessity to deliver personalized services.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PREFERENCE INFORMATION IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT DECISION MAKING? A CASE STUDY OF COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the role of community preference information from discrete choice studies of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in health technology assessment (HTA) reports and subsequent policy decisions.

METHODS

We undertook a systematic review of discrete choice studies of CRC screening. Included studies were reviewed to assess the policy context of the research. For those studies that cited a recent or pending review of CRC screening, further searches were undertaken to determine the extent to which community preference information was incorporated into the HTA decision-making process.

RESULTS

Eight discrete choice studies that evaluated preferences for CRC screening were identified. Four of these studies referred to a national or local review of CRC screening in three countries: Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. Our review of subsequently released health policy documents showed that while consideration was given to community views on CRC, policy was not informed by discrete choice evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Preferences and values of patients are increasingly being considered "evidence" to be incorporated into HTA reports. Discrete choice methodology is a rigorous quantitative method for eliciting preferences and while as a methodology it is growing in profile, it would appear that the results of such research are not being systematically translated or integrated into HTA reports. A formalized approach is needed to incorporate preference literature into the HTA decision-making process.

Navigating the unknown: shared decision-making in the face of uncertainty

In shared decision-making (SDM), patient and physician deliberate together on the basis of shared evidence, supporting the patient's choice among multiple options, informed by her values and preferences. One factor complicating the implementation of SDM is uncertainty, which has long been recognized in medicine but perhaps not sufficiently addressed in the context of SDM. In order to ensure that SDM can be realistically applied to real-world clinical encounters, the issue of uncertainty should be recognized and explicitly incorporated into SDM strategies. Here we propose practical approaches, based in doctor-patient communication science and bioethics, that may be of help for incorporating the uncertainty factor into SDM in the context of the doctor-patient encounter. We also discuss how decision aids might be more widely applicable through routinely acknowledging the preference sensitivity of decisions and supplementing these tools with a discussion of uncertainty.

Assessing stated preferences for colorectal cancer screening: a critical systematic review of discrete choice experiments

BACKGROUND

It is well established that screening is effective in reducing the incidence and mortality associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). National screening programs have been implemented in many countries; however, uptake remains an issue. Understanding patient preferences may assist in shaping screening programs and tailoring information about screening tests.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to undertake a systematic review of discrete choice experiments (DCEs) of CRC screening.

METHODS

A systematic review of DCEs of CRC screening was undertaken in an average-risk general population. The methodological qualities of the studies were assessed using a standard checklist outlining best practice for conjoint studies.

RESULTS

Nine studies met the selection criteria. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity of the data and methods. However, in eight studies, attributes describing accuracy and/or clinical effectiveness were reported to be statistically significant. We also found that individuals were willing to trade-off other attributes such as an increased risk of complications to gain greater clinical benefits. Screening was also preferred to non-screening by the majority of respondents, regardless of the test used.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding and incorporating individuals' preferences in decision making is increasingly considered essential in the health field. Data from DCEs can provide valuable insights into the trade-offs individuals are willing to undertake in respect to CRC screening. Such insights can be used by decision makers to identify screening tests that could maximize informed uptake. It is likely that, with better reporting and evolving methodology, the contribution that DCEs can make to such debates will increase.

Applying discrete choice modelling in a priority setting: an investigation of public preferences for primary care models

OBJECTIVES

The shift toward more innovative and sustainable primary care models in Italy leads policy makers and clinicians to face difficult decisions between options that are all regarded as potentially beneficial. In this study, patient preferences for different primary care models in the Tuscany region of Italy were elicited. The relative importance of different attributes to the surveyed respondents was then examined, as well as the rate at which individuals trade between attributes and the relative value of different service configurations.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment survey explored the following attributes in a stratified random sample of 6,970 adults: primary care provider, diagnostic facilities and waiting time for the visit.

RESULTS

Respondents (3,263) were likely to prefer a consultation by their own general practitioner (GP) and a practice with many diagnostic facilities. The predicted utilities of different service configurations have shown that a "primary care centre" with many diagnostic facilities was preferable to a "solo GP" model or a "group general practice".

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated how a patient choice model could be used by decision makers for developing successful policies that takes into account different healthcare needs, balancing responsiveness with care continuity, equity and appropriateness. Considering that a primary care centre would perform better than a "solo GP", especially for younger respondents and for those with minor healthcare needs, for a more rapid diffusion of this model policymakers and managers could direct the care of primary care centres towards these targeted subgroups, at least in the first phase.

Cognitive biases and heuristics in medical decision making: a critical review using a systematic search strategy

BACKGROUND

The role of cognitive biases and heuristics in medical decision making is of growing interest. The purpose of this study was to determine whether studies on cognitive biases and heuristics in medical decision making are based on actual or hypothetical decisions and are conducted with populations that are representative of those who typically make the medical decision; to categorize the types of cognitive biases and heuristics found and whether they are found in patients or in medical personnel; and to critically review the studies based on standard methodological quality criteria.

METHOD

Data sources were original, peer-reviewed, empirical studies on cognitive biases and heuristics in medical decision making found in Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, and the CINAHL databases published in 1980-2013. Predefined exclusion criteria were used to identify 213 studies. During data extraction, information was collected on type of bias or heuristic studied, respondent population, decision type, study type (actual or hypothetical), study method, and study conclusion.

RESULTS

Of the 213 studies analyzed, 164 (77%) were based on hypothetical vignettes, and 175 (82%) were conducted with representative populations. Nineteen types of cognitive biases and heuristics were found. Only 34% of studies (n = 73) investigated medical personnel, and 68% (n = 145) confirmed the presence of a bias or heuristic. Each methodological quality criterion was satisfied by more than 50% of the studies, except for sample size and validated instruments/questions. Limitations are that existing terms were used to inform search terms, and study inclusion criteria focused strictly on decision making.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the studies on biases and heuristics in medical decision making are based on hypothetical vignettes, raising concerns about applicability of these findings to actual decision making. Biases and heuristics have been underinvestigated in medical personnel compared with patients.

Preferences for the delivery of community pharmacy services to help manage chronic conditions

BACKGROUND

To optimize positive outcomes, the design of new pharmacy services should consider the preferences of consumers with chronic condition(s) and their carers.

OBJECTIVES

(i) To evaluate the relative importance of community pharmacy service characteristics, from the perspective of consumers with chronic condition(s) and carers; (ii) To compare consumer and carer preferences to health professional beliefs about ideal service characteristics for consumers.

METHOD

A discrete choice experiment was completed by consumers with chronic condition(s) and/or carers (n = 602) and health professionals (n = 297), recruited from four regions in Australia. Participants were each randomized to one survey version containing four (from a total 72) different choices between two new pharmacy services. Consumer and carer participants were also given an 'opt out' alternative of current service. Each service was described using six attributes related to pharmacy service characteristics: continued medicines supply, continuity and coordinated care, location, medication management, education and information, and cost.

RESULTS

Consumers and carers placed highest priority on continued medicines supply by a pharmacist for regular and symptom flare up medicines (100 priority points), a pharmacy located within a 'one-stop' health center (61 points) and home delivery of medicines (52 points). Although continued medicines supply was most important for consumers and carers, pharmacy location was perceived by health professionals to be the most important characteristic for consumers. Participants were less inclined to choose new services if their current pharmacy offered high quality services that were person-centered, easy to access and responsive to their needs. Younger, more highly educated and employed participants, and those with established condition(s) were more likely to choose new services.

CONCLUSIONS

Person-centered care is a fundamental tenet for pharmacy services. The provision of continued medicines supply (e.g. through pharmacist prescribing), convenient and coordinated care delivered through a one stop health centre, and home delivery of medicines, should be prioritized when planning pharmacy services to best assist consumers to manage chronic conditions.

Harnessing the potential to quantify public preferences for healthcare priorities through citizens' juries

Despite progress towards greater public engagement, questions about the optimal approach to access public preferences remain unanswered. We review two increasingly popular methods for engaging the public in healthcare priority-setting and determining their preferences; the Citizens' Jury (CJ) and Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE). We discuss the theoretical framework from which each method is derived, its application in healthcare, and critique the information it can provide for decision-makers. We conclude that combining deliberation of an informed public via CJs and quantification of preferences using DCE methods, whilst it remains to be tested as an approach to engaging the public in priority-setting, could potentially achieve much richer information than the application of either method in isolation.

Preferences for potential innovations in non-invasive colorectal cancer screening: A labeled discrete choice experiment for a Dutch screening campaign

BACKGROUND

The introduction of innovative non-invasive screening tests (e.g. tests based on stool and blood samples or both) may be a solution to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake. However, preferences for these non-invasive screening tests have not been investigated in great detail yet. The purpose of this article therefore is to elicit individuals' preferences for different non-invasive screening tests in a Dutch screening campaign context.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We investigate preferences by means of a labeled discrete choice experiment. Data of 815 individuals, aged 55-75 years, are used in the analysis.

RESULTS

Multinomial logit model analysis showed that the combi-test is generally preferred over the blood-test and the (currently available) stool-test. Furthermore, besides the large effect of screening test type, there are significant differences in preference depending on participants' socio-demographic background. Finally, the analysis showed a significant positive effect on screening test choice for the attributes sensitivity, risk reduction, and level of evidence and a non-significant effect for the attribute unnecessary follow-up test.

CONCLUSION

Introducing new non-invasive screening tests that are based on a combination of stool and blood samples (or blood sample only) has the potential to increase CRC screening participation compared to the current standard stool-based test.

Eliciting preferences for key attributes of intrapartum care in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND

As part of the move toward "patient-centered care," women's preferences with regard to maternity services have become increasingly important to policy makers. To realize optimal patient-centered care, knowledge of patients' preferences is essential. The aim of our study was to assess the strength and relative importance of women's preferences for different aspects of intrapartum care in The Netherlands, where women have easy access to both home and hospital birth.

METHODS

A discrete choice experiment was conducted at 16 weeks of gestation as part of a Dutch multicenter, prospective cohort study from 2007 to 2011 of low-risk, nulliparous women. Responses were analyzed per intended place of birth group: midwifery-led home (n = 191) and hospital birth (n = 152) and obstetric-led hospital birth (n = 188).

RESULTS

We analyzed 562 questionnaires. Women in all groups preferred the possibility of influencing decision making and pain-relief treatment during birth and no co-payment for childbirth. Women with an intended home birth preferred a home-like birth setting with the assistance of a midwife and transport during birth in case of complications. Type of birth setting and transport during birth were not considered important to women with an intended midwifery- or obstetric-led hospital birth.

CONCLUSION

Policies aimed at the improvement of maternity care must take into account women's preferences for the possibility of pain-relief treatment and the fact that all women desire a high level of involvement in decision making. Furthermore, efforts to change maternity care systems must consider how to counter the culturally embedded nature of women's preferences.

What sort of follow-up services would Australian breast cancer survivors prefer if we could no longer offer long-term specialist-based care? A discrete choice experiment

Background:

Early diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes have increased breast cancer survival rates that, in turn, have led to increased numbers of women undergoing follow-up after completion of primary treatment. The current workload growth is unsustainable for breast cancer specialists who also provide care for women newly diagnosed or with a recurrence. Appropriate and acceptable follow-up care is important; yet, currently we know little about patient preferences. The aim of this study was to explore the preferences of Australian breast cancer survivors for alternative modes of delivery of follow-up services.

Methods:

A self-administered questionnaire (online or paper) was developed. The questionnaire contained a discrete choice experiment (DCE) designed to explore patient preferences with respect to provider, location, frequency and method of delivery of routine follow-up care in years 3, 4 and 5 after diagnosis, as well as the perceived value of ‘drop-in' clinics providing additional support. Participants were recruited throughout Australia over a 6-month period from May to October 2012. Preference scores and choice probabilities were used to rank the top 10 most preferred follow-up scenarios for respondents.

Results:

A total of 836 women participated in the study, of whom 722 (86.4%) completed the DCE. In the absence of specialist follow-up, the 10 most valued surveillance scenarios all included a Breast Physician as the provider of follow-up care. The most preferred scenario is a face-to-face local breast cancer follow-up clinic held every 6 months and led by a Breast Physician, where additional clinics focused on the side effects of treatment are also provided.

Conclusion:

Beyond the first 2 years from diagnosis, in the absence of a specialist led follow-up, women prefer to have their routine breast cancer follow-up by a Breast Physician (or a Breast Cancer Nurse) in a dedicated local breast cancer clinic, rather than with their local General Practitioner. Drop-in clinics for the management of treatment related side effects and to provide advice to both develop and maintain good health are also highly valued by breast cancer survivors.

Health system goals: a discrete choice experiment to obtain societal valuations

OBJECTIVE

To improve previous approaches to health system goals valuation.

METHODS

We reviewed literature on health system performance and previous comparative performance assessments, and combined this with literature on process utility to create a theoretical foundation for health system goals. We used a discrete choice experiment to elicit goal weights. To obtain social justice weights respondents were placed behind a 'veil of ignorance'. To ensure that respondents understood their task, we instructed them in a classroom setting.

RESULTS

We identified five health system goals. All five goals significantly affected choice behavior. An equitable distribution of health obtained the highest weight (0.34), followed by average level of health (0.29) and financial fairness (0.24). Both process outcomes (utility derived from the process and its distribution) received much lower weights (0.07 and 0.06, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our framework adds to that of the World Health Organization. We demonstrated the feasibility of measuring societal valuation of health system goals with a multi-attribute technique based on trade-offs. Our weights placed much greater emphasis on health and health inequality than on process outcomes. Our study improves the methodology of international health system performance comparison and thereby enhances global evidence-based health policy information.

A qualitative exploration of opinions on the community pharmacists' role amongst the general public in Scotland

OBJECTIVE

To understand members of the public's opinions and experiences of pharmacy services.

METHOD

This exploratory study employed qualitative methods. Five focus groups were conducted with 26 members of the public resident in Scotland in March 2010. The groups comprised those perceived to be users and non-users of community pharmacy. A topic guide was developed to prompt discussion. Each focus group was recorded, transcribed, anonymised and analysed using thematic analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

Participants made positive comments about pharmacy services although many preferred to see a general practitioner (GP). Participants discussed using pharmacies for convenience, often because they were unable to access GPs. Pharmacists were perceived principally to be suppliers of medicine, although there was some recognition of roles in dealing with minor ailments and providing advice. For those with serious and long-standing health matters GPs were usually the professional of choice for most health needs. Community pharmacy was seen to offer incomplete services which did not co-ordinate well with other primary-care services. The pharmacy environment and retail setting were not considered to be ideal for private healthcare consultations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that despite recent initiatives to extend the role of community pharmacists many members of the general public continue to prefer a GP-led service. Importantly GPs inspire public confidence as well as offering comprehensive services and private consultation facilities. Improved communication and information sharing between community pharmacists and general practice could support community pharmacist-role expansion.