Using conjoint analysis to elicit the views of health services users: an application to the patient health card

Ryan, M., McIntosh, E. and Shackley, P. (1998) Using conjoint analysis to elicit the views of health services users: an application to the patient health card. Health Expectations, 1(2), pp. 117-129. (doi: 10.1046/j.1369-6513.1998.00024.x)

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Abstract

<b>OBJECTIVE:</b> To demonstrate the application of conjoint analysis (CA) for eliciting the views of health service users.<p></p> <b>METHODS:</b> A CA study was conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial evaluating the introduction of a patient health card (PHC). The PHC was evaluated with respect to three other aspects of general practice: number of days between making a non-urgent appointment and seeing a doctor; waiting time in reception between the time of the appointment and seeing a doctor; and whether the patient is usually seen by the doctor of their choice. A postal questionnaire was sent to 100 individuals from a general practice in Inverurie, Scotland.<p></p> <b>RESULTS:</b> Seventy-five individuals returned the questionnaire, of whom 51 answered the CA section. The PHC was the least important of the attributes considered. The number of days between making a non-urgent appointment and seeing a doctor was considered to be the most important. A 1-day reduction in the number of days to appointment was four and a half times more important than having a PHC; a 1-minute reduction in waiting time in the reception area was three and a half times more important than having a PHC; and seeing a doctor of choice was over three times more important than having a PHC. Satisfaction or utility scores for different ways of providing a general practice service also indicated that priority should be given to reducing waiting time to see a doctor or reducing waiting time in reception.<p></p> <b>CONCLUSIONS:</b> While the PHC is a significant and positive predictor of satisfaction in general practice, it is less important than the other three attributes considered. More generally, CA appears to be a potentially useful instrument for eliciting the views of health service users.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McIntosh, Professor Emma
Authors: Ryan, M., McIntosh, E., and Shackley, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
Journal Name:Health Expectations
ISSN:1369-6513
ISSN (Online):1369-7625
Published Online:04 January 2002

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