Applicability of discrete-choice methods to economic evaluations of complementary and alternative medicine

Abstract

This review discusses the potential contributions of discrete-choice methods of stated preference assessment to future economic evaluations of complementary and alternative medicine. The manner in which some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and researchers have framed the concept of therapeutic benefits including process-related benefits is first discussed. The mechanics of a discrete-choice exercise including assessment of health state utilities and willingness to pay are then described. Potential limitations of the discrete-choice method are discussed. This review concludes with a discussion of future research opportunities. The author suggests that discrete-choice methods may be integrated into economic evaluations through the benefit assessment process, particularly within the complementary and alternative medicine context.

Keywords::

• CAM
• complementary medicine
• conjoint analysis
• cost–benefit
• cost–effectiveness
• discrete choice
• economic evaluation