TY - JOUR
T1 - Patients' preferences for healthcare system reforms in Hungary
T2 - A conjoint analysis
AU - Akkazieva, Baktygul
AU - Gulacsi, Laszlo
AU - Brandtmuller, Agnes
AU - Péntek, Márta
AU - Bridges, John F.P.
N1 - Funding Information:
This paper is derived from a MS thesis presented by Baktygul Akkazieva to the Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Her position was supported by the Government of Kyrgyzstan and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). A previous version of this paper was presented at the 6th European Conference on Health Economics, Budapest, Hungary, 6–9 July 2006. We are grateful for the comments that we received there, as we are for the comments of two anonymous referees.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Objectives: To illustrate how conjoint analysis can be used to identify patient Abstract preferences for healthcare policies, and to measure preferences for healthcare reforms in Hungary. Data source/study setting: Data was collected via a mail-based survey and a direct survey administered in a rheumatology out-patient centre in Flór Ferenc County Hospital, Budapest, Hungary (n = 86). Study design: We designed and administered a conjoint analysis to the study population. Attributes and attribute levels were developed on the basis of key informant interviews and a literature review. Additional demographic, occupation and healthcare utilisation data were also collected using surveys. A mixed effects linear probability model was estimated holding respondent characteristics constant and correcting for clustering. Data collection: Conjoint analysis questionnaires were administered by a physician to 50 consecutive rheumatology patients in a clinic and an additional 36 were mailed by post. Principal findings: The response rate for the physician-administered survey was 98% (but 18% of these were excluded for inconsistent preferences) and 53% for the mail survey, leaving a final sample of 59. Regression results (R2 = 56.8%) indicated that patients preferred a health system that was not cost constrained (p = 0.003), was based on solidarity (p < 0.001) and where patients were empowered (p = 0.024). Further, they would choose a system with no choice of provider to avoid co-payments (p = 0.005). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that patients have clear preferences for healthcare system policy. In order to develop evidence-based healthcare policy and to empower patients in the healthcare system, methods such as conjoint analysis offer a simple yet theoretically grounded basis for policy making.
AB - Objectives: To illustrate how conjoint analysis can be used to identify patient Abstract preferences for healthcare policies, and to measure preferences for healthcare reforms in Hungary. Data source/study setting: Data was collected via a mail-based survey and a direct survey administered in a rheumatology out-patient centre in Flór Ferenc County Hospital, Budapest, Hungary (n = 86). Study design: We designed and administered a conjoint analysis to the study population. Attributes and attribute levels were developed on the basis of key informant interviews and a literature review. Additional demographic, occupation and healthcare utilisation data were also collected using surveys. A mixed effects linear probability model was estimated holding respondent characteristics constant and correcting for clustering. Data collection: Conjoint analysis questionnaires were administered by a physician to 50 consecutive rheumatology patients in a clinic and an additional 36 were mailed by post. Principal findings: The response rate for the physician-administered survey was 98% (but 18% of these were excluded for inconsistent preferences) and 53% for the mail survey, leaving a final sample of 59. Regression results (R2 = 56.8%) indicated that patients preferred a health system that was not cost constrained (p = 0.003), was based on solidarity (p < 0.001) and where patients were empowered (p = 0.024). Further, they would choose a system with no choice of provider to avoid co-payments (p = 0.005). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that patients have clear preferences for healthcare system policy. In order to develop evidence-based healthcare policy and to empower patients in the healthcare system, methods such as conjoint analysis offer a simple yet theoretically grounded basis for policy making.
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U2 - 10.2165/00148365-200605030-00005
DO - 10.2165/00148365-200605030-00005
M3 - Article
C2 - 17132033
AN - SCOPUS:34347213014
SN - 1175-5652
VL - 5
SP - 189
EP - 198
JO - Applied health economics and health policy
JF - Applied health economics and health policy
IS - 3
ER -