Establishing Patient Preferences for Blood Transfusion Support: An Application of Conjoint Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To develop a method of determining the relative importance of waiting time and location of care for patients with haematological disorders requiring red cell transfusion. Such information is particularly relevant when evaluating interventions that affect patient well-being (e.g. by changing waiting time and location) but do not affect health outcomes. Methods: Conjoint analysis is used to assess the relative importance of waiting time and location with respect to pre-transfusion testing and red cell transfusion. Compensation is also included as an attribute in order to estimate the monetary value of changes in waiting time and location. Results: Waiting time and location are important attributes in the provision of pre-transfusion testing and red cell transfusion. Compensation is not an important attribute. On average patients are willing to wait an additional 45 minutes in order to have pre-transfusion testing in their own home and an additional 35 minutes in order to receive red cell transfusions in their preferred location. Conclusion: The relative importance of waiting time and location of care was established. However, it was not possible to assign monetary values since compensation was not an important attribute for these respondents. The paper highlights the scope for using conjoint analysis to analyse the non-health benefits that may result from changes in the delivery of care.