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 .
Patient and parent preferences for immunoglobulin treatments: a conjoint analysis
Abstract Objectives : The purpose was to quantify patient and parent preferences for administration attributes of  immunoglobulin ( IG ) treatments ; and determine which administration attributes were most important to users of IG treatment and whether patients and parents have similar preferences for administration attributes . Methods : US adult patients and parents of children with a self-reported physician diagnosis of a primary immunodeficiency disorder completed a best- practice web-enabled choice-format conjoint survey that presented a series of 12 choice questions , each including a pair of hypothetical IG-treatment profiles . After review ing current therapies , each profile was defined by mode of administration , frequency , location , number of needle sticks , and treatment duration . Before answering the choice questions , respondents were told to assume all treatments worked equally well . Choice questions were based on a D-efficient experimental design . Preference weights for attribute levels were estimated using r and om-parameters logit for each sample ( adult patients and parents ) . Tests were performed to determine potential interactions among the administration attributes . All respondents provided online informed consent . Results : In total , 252 patients and 66 parents completed the choice questions appropriately . Overall , both groups preferred a home setting , monthly frequency , fewer needle sticks , and shorter treatment duration s of IG treatment relative to alternative choices ( p < 0.05 ) . Mode of administration was the least important attribute to both sample s ; however , parents strongly preferred  self-administration  to an appointment with a healthcare professional ( p < 0.05 ) , whereas patients slightly preferred self-administration but were indifferent to the two modes . Limitations : Respondents evaluate hypothetical treatments and differences can arise between stated and actual choices . Conclusions : Considering the hypothetical treatments evaluated , IG treatments that provide the option of a home setting , monthly frequency , fewer needle sticks , and shorter treatment duration s may address the needs of both patients and parents . Patients and parents have different preferences for administration attributes of IG treatments
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 .