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Research: RATCLIFFE and colleagues, Hea
Listed in Issue 82
Abstract
RATCLIFFE and colleagues, Health Economics Research Group, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK, jratcliffe@rti.org, carried out a study to investigate the preferences of patients with asthma for characteristics associated with their treatment, and to investigate the extent to which such preferences may differ between patient subgroups.
Background
Conventional and homeopathic treatment for asthma were compared .
Methodology
A Conjoint Analysi s questionnaire was administered to 300 asthma patients, 150 receiving conventional treatment and 150 receiving homeopathic treatment. The questionnaire investigated patients' strength of preference for several key attributes of services for asthma treatment.
Results
Statistically significant attributes influencing patients' preference in both patient groups were (1) the extent to which the doctor gave sufficient time to listen to the patient, (2) the extent to which the treatment seemed to relieve symptoms, and (3) the travel costs of attending for a consultation. Patients receiving homeopathic treatment also expressed a preference for the extent to which the doctor treated them as a whole person .
Conclusion
The study shows that aspects associated with the delivery of treatment are important to patients in addition to outcome of the treatment. Patients who receive homeopathic treatment express a stronger preference for the doctor to treat them as a whole person .
References
Ratcliffe J et al. Assessing patients' preferences for characteristics associated with homeopathic and conventional treatment of asthma: a conjoint analysis study. Thorax 57 (6): 503-8. Jun 2002.
