[An empirical analysis of patients' preference of setting for outpatient arthroscopic surgery].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate patient preferences of setting for outpatient surgery--office-based, hospital-based, or inpatient care environment--and the factors relevant to their decision.


METHODS
Preferences were elicited from a sample of the general population (n=1,134) with a discrete choice model, an efficient technique for estimating utility. Participants chose their preferred mode among different outpatient scenarios for hypothetical arthroscopic surgery.


RESULTS
The subjects were open to alternative options of care delivery and based their decisions on particular attributes, "specialization," "staff continuity," and "waiting time" having the largest effect on choices. A slight preference for hospital-based outpatient surgery was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that patients' choice of providers is open and based on specific attributes of treatment delivery and institution and not the setting per se.
Schwappach
D L B
DL
Fakultät für Medizin, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten. Davids@uni-wh.de
Strasmann
T J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000191:economics; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019348:Empiricism; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010824:Physicians' Offices / Q000191:economics