BACKGROUND: Health state valuations obtained from the general population are used for cost-utility analyses of health-care interventions. Currently, most studies have focused on valuations of somatic conditions, to a much lesser extent of mental states, that is, depression and even less on valuations of depression co-occurring with somatic conditions. OBJECTIVE: We tested the feasibility of the time trade-off (TTO) task to elicit valuations for depression solitary or co-occurring with a somatic condition. Moreover, we explored person- and state-related factors that may affect valuations. DESIGN: During semi-structured interviews, 10 individuals (five women, mean age: 36 years) used a TTO task to value vignettes describing mild and severe depression; and mild depression co-occurring with moderate and severe states of cancer, diabetes or heart disease. During valuations, participants were thinking aloud. Feasibility criteria were successful completion and difficulty/concentration (1-10); logical consistency of values; and comprehension of the TTO, based on qualitative analysis of think aloud data. Factors influencing valuations were generated from think aloud data. RESULTS: Participants reported satisfactory levels of difficulty (mean: 1.9) and concentration (mean: 8.3) and assigned consistent values. Qualitative analysis revealed difficulties with imagining: living with depression for lifetime (n = 4); reaching the age of 80 (n = 6); and living with a somatic condition and mentally healthy (n = 6). Person- and state-related factors, for example perceived susceptibility to depression (n = 4), appeared to affect valuations. CONCLUSION: Quantitative findings supported feasibility of the valuation protocol, yet qualitative findings indicated that certain task aspects should be readdressed. Factors influencing valuations can be explored to better understand valuations.
BACKGROUND: Health state valuations obtained from the general population are used for cost-utility analyses of health-care interventions. Currently, most studies have focused on valuations of somatic conditions, to a much lesser extent of mental states, that is, depression and even less on valuations of depression co-occurring with somatic conditions. OBJECTIVE: We tested the feasibility of the time trade-off (TTO) task to elicit valuations for depression solitary or co-occurring with a somatic condition. Moreover, we explored person- and state-related factors that may affect valuations. DESIGN: During semi-structured interviews, 10 individuals (five women, mean age: 36 years) used a TTO task to value vignettes describing mild and severe depression; and mild depression co-occurring with moderate and severe states of cancer, diabetes or heart disease. During valuations, participants were thinking aloud. Feasibility criteria were successful completion and difficulty/concentration (1-10); logical consistency of values; and comprehension of the TTO, based on qualitative analysis of think aloud data. Factors influencing valuations were generated from think aloud data. RESULTS:Participants reported satisfactory levels of difficulty (mean: 1.9) and concentration (mean: 8.3) and assigned consistent values. Qualitative analysis revealed difficulties with imagining: living with depression for lifetime (n = 4); reaching the age of 80 (n = 6); and living with a somatic condition and mentally healthy (n = 6). Person- and state-related factors, for example perceived susceptibility to depression (n = 4), appeared to affect valuations. CONCLUSION: Quantitative findings supported feasibility of the valuation protocol, yet qualitative findings indicated that certain task aspects should be readdressed. Factors influencing valuations can be explored to better understand valuations.
Authors: Polly Hitchcock Noël; John W Williams; Jürgen Unützer; Jason Worchel; Shuko Lee; John Cornell; Wayne Katon; Linda H Harpole; Enid Hunkeler Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2004 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Bernice Ruo; John S Rumsfeld; Mark A Hlatky; Haiying Liu; Warren S Browner; Mary A Whooley Journal: JAMA Date: 2003-07-09 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Katerina Papageorgiou; Karin M Vermeulen; Maya J Schroevers; Anne M Stiggelbout; Erik Buskens; Paul F M Krabbe; Edwin van den Heuvel; Adelita V Ranchor Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2015-06-03 Impact factor: 4.147