Abstract
Background
Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are widely used to quantify individuals’ preferences for healthcare. Guidelines recommend the design of DCEs should be informed by qualitative research. However, only a few studies go beyond guidelines by fully presenting qualitative and quantitative research jointly together in a mixed methods approach (MMA).
Objectives
Using an example study about men’s preferences for medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we demonstrate how qualitative research can complement DCEs to gain a rich understanding of individuals’ preferences.
Methods
We were the first to combine online discussion groups (ODGs) with an online DCE. A thematic analysis of the ODGs and a conceptual map provided insights into men’s quality of life (QoL) with LUTS and relevant treatment attitudes. This was used to design the DCE. Men’s willingness to pay (WTP) for these attributes was estimated. Findings from ODGs and DCE were compared to understand WTP and preference heterogeneity.
Key findings
Men mostly valued medicine that reduced urgency and night-time frequencies of urination but avoided sexual side effects. We find heterogeneity in the effect of sexual side effects on men’s preferences. The ODGs suggest this is because several men may be sexually inactive due to their age, being widowed or having comorbidities. The ODGs also raised concern about men’s awareness of LUTS.
Conclusion
We argue that the insights gained into men’s preferences for treatment and how LUTS affects men’s QoL could not have been obtained by either the qualitative research or the DCE alone.
Dr. Ikenwilo passed away on November 27, 2015.
Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are widely used to quantify individuals’ preferences for healthcare. Guidelines recommend the design of DCEs should be informed by qualitative research. However, only a few studies go beyond guidelines by fully presenting qualitative and quantitative research jointly together in a mixed methods approach (MMA).
Objectives
Using an example study about men’s preferences for medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we demonstrate how qualitative research can complement DCEs to gain a rich understanding of individuals’ preferences.
Methods
We were the first to combine online discussion groups (ODGs) with an online DCE. A thematic analysis of the ODGs and a conceptual map provided insights into men’s quality of life (QoL) with LUTS and relevant treatment attitudes. This was used to design the DCE. Men’s willingness to pay (WTP) for these attributes was estimated. Findings from ODGs and DCE were compared to understand WTP and preference heterogeneity.
Key findings
Men mostly valued medicine that reduced urgency and night-time frequencies of urination but avoided sexual side effects. We find heterogeneity in the effect of sexual side effects on men’s preferences. The ODGs suggest this is because several men may be sexually inactive due to their age, being widowed or having comorbidities. The ODGs also raised concern about men’s awareness of LUTS.
Conclusion
We argue that the insights gained into men’s preferences for treatment and how LUTS affects men’s QoL could not have been obtained by either the qualitative research or the DCE alone.
Dr. Ikenwilo passed away on November 27, 2015.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 55-67 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | The Patient - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 28 Jun 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funded by Astellas Pharma Europe and Chief Scientist OfficeDI, SH, VW and MR are employed by the University of Aberdeen and performed the research. CM and JN are employees of Astellas Pharma EMEA, which funded the study in an unrestricted contract. All authors were involved in writing or reviewing the manuscript. Ethical approval was obtained from the College Ethics Research Board of the College of Life Science and Medicine, University of Aberdeen (CERB/2013/8/942). The Health Economics Research Unit (HERU) is supported by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) at the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate.
Keywords
- discrete choice experiments
- qualitative research
- online discussion groups
- mixed methods
- lower urinary tract symptoms
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'The Best of Both Worlds: An Example Mixed Methods Approach to Understand Men’s Preferences for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
-
Mandy Ryan
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Health Economics Research Unit - Director of H E R U
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences
Person: Academic