Abstract
Discrete choice experiments (DCE) and conjoint analysis (CA) are increasingly used to address health policy
issues. This is because the DCE and CA approaches have theoretical foundations in the characteristics
theory of demand, which assumes goods, services, or healthcare provision, can be valued in terms of their
characteristics (or attributes). As a result, such analysis is grounded in economic theory, lending theoretical
validity to this approach.
With DCEs, respondents are also assumed to act in a utility-maximising manner and make choices contingent
upon the levels of attributes in DCE scenarios. Therefore, choice data can be analysed using econometric
methods compatible with random utility theory (RUT) or random regret minimisation (RRM) theory. This
means they have additional foundations in economic theory. In contrast, analyses described as CAs are
sometimes compatible with RUT or RRM, but by definition they do not have to be.
In this paper we review the CA/DCE evidence relating to nephrology. The CA/DCE approach is then
compared with other approaches used to provide either quality of life information or preference
information relating to nephrology. We conclude by providing an assessment of the value of undertaking
CA or DCE analysis in nephrology, comparing the application of CA/DCEs in nephrology with other
methodological approaches.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 52-59 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | EMJ Nephrology |
Volume | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 10 Dec 2013 |
Bibliographical note
The full text is available from: http://emjreviews.com/journals/nephrology-2013/Keywords
- Renal
- nephrology
- conjoint analysis
- discrete choice experiments
- literature review
- transplantation
- dialysis