Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.
Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Australia.
J Med Econ. 2024 Jan-Dec;27(1):1232-1244. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2405288. Epub 2024 Sep 21.
Defining attributes and attribute levels for a discrete choice experiment (DCE) poses a significant challenge for practitioners exploring preferences for new or unfamiliar products due to the dearth of available information and limits in stakeholder knowledge. This study outlines a comprehensive process for identifying attributes and levels in a DCE aimed at gauging public preferences for health policies related to medicinal cannabis (MC).
A rigorous four-stage attribute development process was utilized and included i) the formulation of a preliminary attribute list from a scoping review and document analysis, ii) reduction of attributes focus groups, iii) removal of inappropriate attributes using Delphi studies and research team knowledge, and iv) refinement of attribute language based on the feedback from think-aloud interviews.
A base attribute list formed from the scoping review and document analysis served as effective discussion stimuli in focus groups, especially for participants with limited subject knowledge. Structured focus group activities proved more effective than open-ended discussions in engaging naive participants. Delphi studies were found to be overcomplex for expert-led attribute prioritization. Think-aloud interviews during a pilot DCE were essential for assessing attribute language and clarity and understanding participants' decision-making processes.
The development of DCE attributes measuring preferences for an unfamiliar health product requires a multi-method approach. Evaluating the outcomes from various methods of attribute development yielded a refined list of attributes that were significant to stakeholders, allowed for meaningful trade-offs, and were presented in language accessible to the target population.
对于探索新产品或不熟悉产品偏好的从业者来说，定义离散选择实验（DCE）的属性和属性水平是一项重大挑战，因为可用信息匮乏且利益相关者的知识有限。本研究概述了一个全面的 DCE 属性识别和水平确定过程，旨在衡量公众对药用大麻（MC）相关健康政策的偏好。
采用严格的四阶段属性开发过程，包括 i）从范围审查和文献分析中制定初步属性列表，ii）使用焦点小组减少属性，iii）使用德尔菲研究和研究团队知识去除不合适的属性，以及 iv）根据出声思维访谈的反馈改进属性语言。
从范围审查和文献分析中形成的基础属性列表作为焦点小组的有效讨论刺激因素，尤其是对于那些对主题知识有限的参与者。与开放式讨论相比，结构化焦点小组活动更有效地吸引了天真的参与者。对于专家主导的属性优先级排序，德尔菲研究过于复杂。在试点 DCE 期间进行出声思维访谈对于评估属性语言的清晰度和理解参与者的决策过程至关重要。
衡量对不熟悉健康产品偏好的 DCE 属性的开发需要采用多方法方法。评估各种属性开发方法的结果得出了一个精炼的属性列表，这些属性对利益相关者具有重要意义，允许进行有意义的权衡，并且以目标人群可理解的语言呈现。
