We found a continuing trend towards conducting DCEs across a broader range of countries .
However , the trend towards including fewer attributes was reversed , whilst the trend towards interview-based DCEs reversed because of increased computer administration .
The trend towards using more flexible econometric models , including mixed logit and latent class , has also continued .
Reporting of monetary values has fallen compared with earlier periods , but the proportion of studies estimating trade-offs between health outcomes and experience factors , or valuing outcomes in terms of utility scores , has increased , although use of odds ratios and probabilities has declined .
The reassuring trend towards the use of more flexible and appropriate DCE design s and econometric methods has been reinforced by the increased use of qualitative methods to inform DCE processes and results .
However , qualitative research methods are being used less often to inform attribute selection , which may make DCEs more susceptible to omitted variable bias if the decision framework is not known prior to the research project .
Background Discrete choice experiments ( DCEs ) are increasingly used in health economics to address a wide range of health policy-related concerns .
Objective Broadly adopting the methodology of an earlier systematic review of health-related DCEs , which covered the period 2001–2008 , we report whether earlier trends continued during 2009–2012 .
What determines patient preferences for treating low risk basal cell carcinoma when comparing surgery vs imiquimod? A discrete choice experiment survey from the SINS trial
Background The SINS trial ( Controlled Clinical Trials IS RCT N48755084 ; Eudract No. 2004 - 004506 - 24 ) is a r and omised controlled trial evaluating long term success of excisional surgery vs. imiquimod 5 % cream for low risk nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma ( BCC ) . The trial included a discrete choice experiment question naire to explore patient preferences of a cream versus surgery for the treatment of their skin cancer . Methods The self-completed question naire was administered at baseline to 183 participants , measuring patients ’ strength of preferences  when choosing either alternative ‘ surgery ’ or ‘ imiquimod cream ’ instead of a fixed ‘ current situation ’ option ( of surgical excision as st and ard practice in UK ) . The treatments were described according to : cost , chance of complete clearance , side effects and appearance . Participants had to choose between various scenarios . Analysis was performed using a mixed logit model , which took into account the impact of previous BCC treatment and sample preference variability . Results The analysis showed that respondents preferred ‘ imiquimod cream ’ to their ‘ current situation ’ or ‘ surgery ’ , regardless of previous experience of BCC symptoms and treatment . Respondents were more likely to be worried about their cosmetic outcomes and side effects they might experience over and above their chance of clearance and cost . Those with no experience of surgery ( compared with experience ) valued more the choice of  ‘ imiquimod cream ’ ( £ 1013 vs £ 781 ) . All treatment characteristics were significant determinants of treatment choice , and there was significant variability in the population preferences for all of them . Conclusions Patients with BCC valued more ‘ imiquimod cream ’ than alternative ‘ surgery ’ options , and all treatment characteristics were important for their choice of care . Underst and ing how people with a BCC value alternative interventions may better inform the development of health care interventions
We found a continuing trend towards conducting DCEs across a broader range of countries .
However , the trend towards including fewer attributes was reversed , whilst the trend towards interview-based DCEs reversed because of increased computer administration .
The trend towards using more flexible econometric models , including mixed logit and latent class , has also continued .
Reporting of monetary values has fallen compared with earlier periods , but the proportion of studies estimating trade-offs between health outcomes and experience factors , or valuing outcomes in terms of utility scores , has increased , although use of odds ratios and probabilities has declined .
The reassuring trend towards the use of more flexible and appropriate DCE design s and econometric methods has been reinforced by the increased use of qualitative methods to inform DCE processes and results .
However , qualitative research methods are being used less often to inform attribute selection , which may make DCEs more susceptible to omitted variable bias if the decision framework is not known prior to the research project .
Background Discrete choice experiments ( DCEs ) are increasingly used in health economics to address a wide range of health policy-related concerns .
Objective Broadly adopting the methodology of an earlier systematic review of health-related DCEs , which covered the period 2001–2008 , we report whether earlier trends continued during 2009–2012 .