Modelling End of Life Care Priorities with a Discrete Choice Experiment

2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10504
• Research Institution: Saitama University
• Principal Investigator: BOLT Timothy 埼玉大学, 人文社会科学研究科, 准教授 (40757564)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田宮 菜奈子 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 教授 (20236748)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Health Economics / Choice Experiment / End of Life / Terminal Care / Stated Preferences

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

The primary goal for this first year has been to follow best practice guidelines for developing a list of appropriate attributes and levels for the DCE as well as identifying socio-demographic, health and other factors for analysis with the DCE. This was done through the qualitative research through interviews with academic and provider experts in palliative care services and support of caregivers during end-of-life care. (Alternatives to the in-person Workshops planned for the end of the year were needed as a result of the restrictions from Covid-19 pandemic.) A review of Japanese policies for end-of-life care and palliative care services was also undertaken for this purpose.
Potential experimental designs have developed as well as translated draft questions for the DCE.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The research has been able to proceed smoothly for these initial stages of the study and are on schedule. The data collection, technical experimental design and initial translation of the survey materials have proceed appropriately.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

The research is proceeding to piloting and testing for the start of this year and to contract negotiation for the main study data collection. This will be used to confirm the appropriateness of the attributes, levels and translation of the DCE. (As well as any necessary changes to the experimental design.)
All data from the DCE is expected to be collected online this year along with starting the analysis from the statistical modelling.

Causes of Carryover

Part of the planned travel costs for the advising experts during the final few months of this fiscal year was not used as online discussion and alternatives to in-person meetings were undertaken instead after announcement of novel Corona Virus pandemic restrictions.