Abstract
Methods
A sequential mixed methods design was employed: an analysis of a dataset to develop RA states for valuing in later phases
of the study; a qualitative interview study with members of the general population to identify how an AE affected valuing
of the RA states and to help design a questionnaire for the final phase; and a quantitative quasi-experimental study to identify
factors that influence change in values after being informed about adaptation.
of the study; a qualitative interview study with members of the general population to identify how an AE affected valuing
of the RA states and to help design a questionnaire for the final phase; and a quantitative quasi-experimental study to identify
factors that influence change in values after being informed about adaptation.
Results
Three RA states were developed using Rasch and cluster analyses. Participants in the qualitative phase identified a range
of ways in which information about adaptation affected their values. For example, they realized they could adapt to RA because
their family and friends who had RA, or similar conditions, could cope. A 25-item questionnaire was developed and used during
the final phase to identify that younger and healthier individuals were more likely to increase their values after being informed
about disease adaptation. The qualitative findings were revisited and found to support the quantitative results.
of ways in which information about adaptation affected their values. For example, they realized they could adapt to RA because
their family and friends who had RA, or similar conditions, could cope. A 25-item questionnaire was developed and used during
the final phase to identify that younger and healthier individuals were more likely to increase their values after being informed
about disease adaptation. The qualitative findings were revisited and found to support the quantitative results.
Conclusions
This approach facilitated understanding of whether and how an AE affected valuing of health states. Each phase affected the
next phase of the study, leading to the conclusion that general population respondents who have little experience of disease
will likely increase their health state values after being informed about adaptation because they understand that they could
cope with the disease.
next phase of the study, leading to the conclusion that general population respondents who have little experience of disease
will likely increase their health state values after being informed about adaptation because they understand that they could
cope with the disease.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-9994-4
- Authors
- Helen M. McTaggart-Cowan, Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Alicia O’Cathain, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA UK
- Aki Tsuchiya, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA UK
- John E. Brazier, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA UK
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343