title: Integrating evidence on patient preferences in healthcare policy decisions: protocol of the patient-VIP study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite a strong movement towards active patient involvement in healthcare policy decisions, systematic and explicit consideration of evidence of this research on patient preferences seems limited. Furthermore, little is known about the opinions of several stakeholders towards consideration of research evidence on patient preferences in healthcare policy decisions. This paper describes the protocol for an explorative study on the integration of research on patient preferences in healthcare policy decisions. The study questions: to what extent research evidence on patient preferences is considered in current procedures for healthcare policy decisions; opinions of stakeholders regarding the integration of this type of evidence in healthcare policy decisions; and what could be a decision framework for the integration of such research evidence in healthcare policy decisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is divided in three sub-studies, predominantly using qualitative methods. The first sub-study is a scoping review in five European countries to investigate whether and how results of research on patient preferences are considered in current procedures for coverage decisions and clinical practice guideline development. The second sub-study is a qualitative study to explore the opinions of stakeholders with regard to the possibilities for integrating evidence on patient preferences in the process of healthcare decision-making in the Netherlands. The third sub-study is the development of a decision framework for research on patient preferences. The framework will consist of: a process description regarding the place of evidence on patient preferences in the decision-making process; and a taxonomy describing different terminologies and conceptualisations of 'preferences' and an overview of existing methodologies for investigating preferences. The concept framework will be presented to and discussed with experts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study will create awareness regarding the existence and potential value of research evidence on patient preferences for healthcare policy decision-making and provides insight in the methods for investigating patient preferences and the barriers and facilitators for integration of such research in healthcare policy decisions. Results of the study will be useful for researchers, clinical practice guideline developers, healthcare policy makers, and patient representatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, the Netherlands. c.dirksen@mumc.nl
authors.forename: Carmen D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Dirksen
authors.forename: Cecile Ma
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Utens
authors.forename: Manuela A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Joore
authors.forename: Teus A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: van Barneveld
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boer
authors.forename: Dunja Hh
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Dreesens
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Laarhoven
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Stiggelbout
authors.forename: Trudy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van der Weijden
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D057240:Patient Preference; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years