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Using Discrete Choice Experiments in Health Economics: Theoretical and Practical Issues

Forthcoming

DCE Workshop 2013

3 day workshop - Using Discrete Choice Experiments in Health Economics: Theoretical and Practical Issues, Aberdeen November 2013

Background information on the theoretical basis for, and application of, DCEs
Hands-on experience in DCE design, and a practical guide to data input, data analysis, and the interpretation of DCE results
An overview of methodological issues and recent developments in the application of DCEs.

This workshop provided an opportunity for those interested in the application of DCEs to discuss both practical and theoretical issues raised when applying the method. The workshop included group work sessions with feedback. No knowledge of economics or DCEs was assumed.

If you would be interested in attending the workshop, please email Alison Horne, alison.horne@abdn.ac.uk who will contact you when registration details are available.Discrete choice experiments in health economics: Theoretical and practical issues.

Past events

DCE Workshop 2012

Discrete choice experiments in health economics: Theoretical and practical issues.

9^th-11^th of April 2012, Banff, Alberta, Canada

For more information: click here

DCE Workshop 2011

The Health Economics Research Unit (HERU) were pleased to announce the return of this popular workshop on 9th - 11th November 2011, at Jury's Inn, Aberdeen, UK.

It is increasingly recognised in many publicly provided health care systems that limited resources coupled with unlimited demand require decisions to be made about the efficient allocation of scarce resources. Economic techniques can inform such decisions. One technique adopted, and further developed, by health economists over the past decade is the discrete choice experiment (DCE) (also known as conjoint analysis).

The workshop provided:
•       Background information on the theoretical basis for, and application of, DCEs
•       Hands-on experience in DCE design, and a practical guide to data input, data analysis, and the interpretation of DCE results
•       An overview of methodological issues and recent developments in the application of DCEs.

This workshop provided an opportunity for those interested in the application of DCEs to discuss both practical and theoretical issues raised when applying the method. The workshop included group work sessions with feedback. No knowledge of economics or DCEs was assumed.

Please click here to download a flyer for the workshop

DCE Workshop 2010

This Workshop ran from 10th - 12th November 2010, at the Jury's Inn, Aberdeen, UK.

The Health Economics Research Unit (HERU) were pleased to announce the return of this popular workshop taught by Prof. Mandy Ryan and Dr Verity Watson. It is increasingly recognised in many publicly provided health care systems that limited resources coupled with unlimited demand require decisions to be made about the efficient allocation of scarce resources. Economic techniques can inform such decisions. One technique adopted, and further developed, by health economists over the past decade is the discrete choice experiment (DCE) (also known as conjoint analysis).

The workshop provided:

Background information on the theoretical basis for, & application of, DCEs.
Hands-on experience in DCE design, and a practical guide to data input, data analysis, and the interpretation of DCE results.
An overview of methodological issues and recent developments in the application of DCEs.

DCE workshop 2008

HERU were pleased to announce the return of this popular workshop. It was a three-day event running from the 19th - 21st November 2008 at the King's College, Old Aberdeen.

Background

It is increasingly recognised in many publicly provided health care systems that limited resources coupled with unlimited demand results in decisions having to be made about the efficient allocation of scarce resources. This raises questions of how services should be provided (e.g. how should patients with cancer be treated? Should central clinics be introduced which reduce waiting time but increase travel time for patients?) through to the optimal provision and the financing of health care (e.g. how should we pay doctors to encourage them to work in remote and rural areas? What would encourage nurses to return to the labour market?).

Given the lack of a market for health care, economic techniques can inform such decisions. One technique adopted by and further developed in health economics over the past decade is the discrete choice experiment (DCE) approach (also know as conjoint analysis).

Aims Of The Workshop

The aims of the workshop were to provide:

Background information on the development, application and theoretical basis of DCEs in health;
Hands on experience in the design of DCEs, as well as the data input, analysis and interpretation stages, and
An update on methodological issues raised in the application of DCEs.

Workshop Documentation

Each participant received a full documentation pack related to the teaching and containing selected articles for further study plus a bibliography linked to the subject area.

Professor Mandy Ryan, Professor at the Health Economics Research Unit presented the workshop. Group exercises were facilitated by Mandy Ryan and Dr Verity Watson (Health Economics Research Unit).

Presenters

Professor Mandy Ryan

Professor Ryan is Director of the Valuation and Implementation Programme (VIP) at the Health Economics Research Unit (HERU) at the University of Aberdeen. This programme of research is concerned with the development and application of economic techniques for valuing benefits in the provision of health care. The focus is on developing monetary measures of benefit, more specifically willingness to pay (WTP) through the application of discrete choice experiments (DCEs) and the contingent valuation method (CVM). Professor Ryan has worked with academics, government and the pharmaceutical industry whilst developing and applying these techniques. She has published widely in the field of health economics generally, and monetary valuation more specifically. Professor Ryan also has extensive teaching experience, and is currently Director of HERU's Distance Learning Course.

Dr Verity Watson

Verity joined HERU in 2002 as a member of VIP. She completed a PhD in Economics at the University of Aberdeen in 2003, concerned with the application of DCEs to the environment. Her research interests include methodological issues associated with contingent valuation and discrete choice experiments, and the application of these methods to the policy arena. Her main areas of methodological work relate to testing the external validity of these techniques. At the policy level she has also worked with academics, the government and the pharmaceutical industry.

Who Should Attend

This workshop provided an opportunity for those interested in the application of discrete choice experiment in health economics to discuss practical and theoretical issues raised when applying the techniques. The workshop included group work sessions. No knowledge of economics or DCEs was assumed.

Programme

Day 1

Lunch & Registration
Introduction
Session 1: Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs): What are they and how can they be applied in Health Care
Session 2: Conducting a Discrete Choice Experiment: Attributes and Levels
Session 3: Experimental Design: General issues and binary choice designs
Group Work on binary choice designs
Dinner

Day 2

Session 4: Experimental Design: Moving from binary choice to multiple choice options
Group Work on Multiple Choice Designs
Historical Tour
Lunch
Discussion and Summary of the course so far
Session 5 (1): Data input, analysis and interpretation
Group Work on data input
Guest Speaker:
Dinner

Day 3

Session 5 (2): Data Input, Analysis and Interpretation
Group Work sessions on data analysis and interpretation
Session 6: Overview: Where are we now and where should we go?

Questions and Answer session

DCE Workshop 2005

The Expert Workshop on Discrete Choice Experiments ‘Using discrete choice experiments in health economics: theoretical and practical issues’ was developed as part of the VIPs training strategy. The aim of this Workshop was to provide information on practical and theoretical issues faced when conducting DCEs.

The workshop ran for three days in February 2005 at the University of Aberdeen, and a 2-day workshop at the institute for Medical Technology Assessment (iMTA), University of Erasmus, Rotterdam, in April. The workshop was developed to provide further workshops in 2007.

The aim of this training workshop was to provide hands on experience in the design and analysis of DCEs. The workshop was aimed at individuals with no experience of DCEs. 25 individuals attended from industry, academic and policy backgrounds.