Hypothetical versus real preferences: results from an opportunistic field experiment.
Over recent years there has been renewed interest in cost-benefit analysis (CBA) in health care but the 'hypothetical bias' concern (i.e. the belief that WTP values overstate real preferences) is a remaining anxiety. This paper reports new empirical data comparing hypothetical and real preferences in a health care context, using the clinical setting of patient self-management (PSM) of anticoagulation (warfarin) therapy. The data offer considerable support for the use of WTP and CBAs in a self-management health care context; the hypothetical bias hypothesis is not supported by our data. The generalisability of these results to other health care settings needs to be explored.
Bryan
Stirling
S
Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, 702-828 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada. stirling.bryan@ubc.ca
Jowett
Sue
S
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*
D000925:Anticoagulants