title: How to integrate research evidence on patient preferences in pharmaceutical coverage decisions and clinical practice guidelines: A qualitative study among Dutch stakeholders.
abstract: Despite the increasing number of research publications on patient preferences, their use in healthcare policy-making is limited. Integrating research evidence on patient preferences in policy-making is advocated by some, but several issues are put forward as well. There has been no systematic investigation of the stakeholders' view on this matter so far. Objective is to explore the opinions of Dutch stakeholders on how to integrate evidence on patient preferences in pharmaceutical coverage decisions and clinical practice guideline (CPG) development, and which issues may be encountered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study with semi-structured interviews with Dutch researchers (N=7), policy-makers and CPG developers (N=4) and patient representatives (N=4) involved in pharmaceutical coverage decisions and/or CPG development. The interview scheme focused on the definition of patient preferences; how to integrate evidence on patient preferences in decision-making; and barriers and facilitators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents mentioned various barriers and facilitators for integration, of conceptual, normative, procedural, methodological and practical nature. There is also variety in the terms and definitions used for preferences, complicating searching and synthesising evidence. It is not clear how to integrate evidence on patient preferences in different decision contexts, and what weight preferences should have in relation to other decision criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed important issues that need guidance when integrating evidence on patient preferences in healthcare policy decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: cecileutens@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cecile M A
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Utens
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Carmen D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Dirksen
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Trudy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van der Weijden
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Manuela A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Joore
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009426:Netherlands; D057240:Patient Preference; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
keywords: Clinical practice guideline; Decision making; Patient preference; Pharmaceutical coverage