Discrete Choice Experiment Instrument (DCE)

Abstract

The Discrete Choice Experiment Instrument (DCE; dosReis et al., 2023) was developed to measure preferences for treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The content of the scale was based on a comprehensive literature review and feedback from a stakeholder advisory group (SAG; Xie et al., 2021). The resulting 6-item DCE was evaluated in a sample of adults diagnosed with MDD, excluding those with bipolar disorder or post-partum depression. No reliability or validity results were reported for these items in the original study.

Keywords

Treatment Preferences; Major Depressive Disorder; Patient Attitudes; Client Attitudes; Major Depression; Preferences; Treatment Planning; Client Treatment Matching; Treatment Process and Outcome Measures

Authors

dosReis, Susan; Bozzi, Laura M.; Butler, Beverly; Xie, Richard Z.; Chapman, Richard H.; Bright, Jennifer; Malik, Erica; Slejko, Julia F.

---

Purpose

The purpose of this instrument is to assess preferences regarding various aspects of treatment for major depressive disorder, including mode of treatment, time to treatment effect, days of hopefulness, effect on productivity, relations with others, and out-of-pocket costs.

Validity

No data is Available.

Reliability

No data is Available.

Factor Analysis

No data is Available.

Instrument

Test Type

Original

Format

The DCE comprises six choice task questions. Each choice task presents three profiles, and an overarching question is posed: ‘If you could only choose 1 option for treating depression, which do you most prefer?’ Response options for each item are as follows:

• Mode of treatment: medicine, medicine and psychotherapy, and all modalities.

• Time to treatment effect: 4, 6, 9 weeks.

• Days of hopefulness: 2, 4, 6 days/week.

• Effect on productivity: 40%, 60%, 90% increase.

• Relations with others: strained, improved, no impact.

• Monthly out-of-pocket costs: $30, $90, $270.

The pre-test response time for the DCE was approximately 15–20 minutes. The administration method is electronic. The measure consists of 6 items.

Language Available

English

Population Group

Human; Male; Female

Age Group

Adulthood (18 years & older)

Population Details

Respondents were adults diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), located in the United States, who did not also have bipolar disorder or post-partum depression.

Test Methodology

The instrument is a task-based measure designed to assess attitudes toward treatment.

Keywords

Treatment Preferences; Major Depressive Disorder; Patient Attitudes; Client Attitudes; Major Depression; Preferences; Treatment Planning; Client Treatment Matching; Treatment Process and Outcome Measures.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier

• dosReis, Susan: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2210-6650

• Bozzi, Laura M.: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5326-6521

• Xie, Richard Z.: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2797-3019

• Chapman, Richard H.: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1988-1368

• Bright, Jennifer: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7442-3979

• Malik, Erica: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2092-4273

• Slejko, Julia F.: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6900-9220

Affiliation

• dosReis, Susan: University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research.

• Bozzi, Laura M.: University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research.

• Butler, Beverly: PAVE Center, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research.

• Xie, Richard Z.: Innovation and Value Initiative.

• Chapman, Richard H.: Innovation and Value Initiative.

• Bright, Jennifer: Innovation and Value Initiative.

• Malik, Erica: Innovation and Value Initiative.

• Slejko, Julia F.: University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research.

Email addresses

• dosReis, Susan: [email protected]

Correspondence Address

dosReis, Susan: University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21201, [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions to use the instrument can be obtained by contacting the corresponding author. There is no fee associated with its use, and it is not a commercial instrument. The test year is 2023.

References

dosReis, S., Bozzi, L. M., Butler, B., Xie, R. Z., Chapman, R. H., Bright, J., Malik, E., & Slejko, J. F. (2023). Preferences for treatments for major depressive disorder: Formative qualitative research using the patient experience. The Patient: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 16(1), 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-022-00596-6

Items of the Discrete Choice Experiment Instrument (DCE)

The DCE has six choice task questions, with three profiles shown in each choice task, and an overarching question: ‘If you could only choose 1 option for treating depression, which do you most prefer?’ Response options for each item are as follows:

1. Mode of treatment: (medicine, medicine and psychotherapy, and all modalities)

2. Time to treatment effect: (4, 6, 9 weeks)

3. Days of hopefulness: (2, 4, 6 days/week)

4. Effect on productivity: (40%, 60%, 90% increase)

5. Relations with others: (strained, improved, no impact)

6. Monthly out-of-pocket costs: ($30, $90, $270)