Individual differences in the use of the response scale determine valuations of hypothetical health states: an empirical study
2007

Understanding How People Value Health States

Sample size: 187 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Essink-Bot Marie-Louise, Stuifbergen Marja C, Meerding Willem-Jan, Looman Caspar WN, Bonsel Gouke J

Primary Institution: Erasmus MC/University Medical Center Rotterdam

Hypothesis

Do individual response patterns affect the valuation of hypothetical health states more than age or other characteristics?

Conclusion

Individual response patterns are more significant in determining health state valuations than age or other demographic factors.

Supporting Evidence

  • 36.8% of variance in valuation scores was explained by health states.
  • 1.6% of variance was explained by the elicitation method.
  • 0.2% of variance was explained by age group.
  • Individual differences in response scales were the main source of remaining variance.

Takeaway

People value health states differently based on how they respond to questions, not just their age or background.

Methodology

212 respondents from three age groups valued six hypothetical health states using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and two Time trade-off (TTO) methods.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the influence of individual response patterns that were not related to measured characteristics.

Limitations

The study's low participation rate and the non-randomized order of health state presentation may affect the results.

Participant Demographics

100 males and 112 females, with a mean age of 46.6 years across three age groups.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<= 0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-7-62

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication