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The European Journal of Health Economics
Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics 7/2014

Open Access 01-09-2014 | Original Paper

Applying discrete choice modelling in a priority setting: an investigation of public preferences for primary care models

Authors: Chiara Seghieri, Alessandro Mengoni, Sabina Nuti

Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics | Issue 7/2014

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Abstract

Objectives

The shift toward more innovative and sustainable primary care models in Italy leads policy makers and clinicians to face difficult decisions between options that are all regarded as potentially beneficial. In this study, patient preferences for different primary care models in the Tuscany region of Italy were elicited. The relative importance of different attributes to the surveyed respondents was then examined, as well as the rate at which individuals trade between attributes and the relative value of different service configurations.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment survey explored the following attributes in a stratified random sample of 6,970 adults: primary care provider, diagnostic facilities and waiting time for the visit.

Results

Respondents (3,263) were likely to prefer a consultation by their own general practitioner (GP) and a practice with many diagnostic facilities. The predicted utilities of different service configurations have shown that a “primary care centre” with many diagnostic facilities was preferable to a “solo GP” model or a “group general practice”.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated how a patient choice model could be used by decision makers for developing successful policies that takes into account different healthcare needs, balancing responsiveness with care continuity, equity and appropriateness. Considering that a primary care centre would perform better than a “solo GP”, especially for younger respondents and for those with minor healthcare needs, for a more rapid diffusion of this model policymakers and managers could direct the care of primary care centres towards these targeted subgroups, at least in the first phase.
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Metadata
Title
Applying discrete choice modelling in a priority setting: an investigation of public preferences for primary care models
Authors
Chiara Seghieri
Alessandro Mengoni
Sabina Nuti
Publication date
01-09-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
The European Journal of Health Economics / Issue 7/2014
Print ISSN: 1618-7598
Electronic ISSN: 1618-7601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-013-0542-8

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