Developing a Preference Assessment Tool for Use among Minority and Low Literacy Primary Care Patients

Authors

Sarah T. Hawley, University of Michigan; Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System
Maria Jibaja-Weiss, Baylor College of Medicine
Partha Krishnamurthy, University of Houston
Sally W. Vernon, University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health
Natoshia Hebert, Baylor College of Medicine
Robert Volk, Baylor College of Medicine

Keywords

Communication in medicine; Conjoint analysis; Decision making; Health behavior; Health education; Low literacy; Minorities; Patient participation; Patient preference; Physician and patient

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Health Services Research | Immune System Diseases | Public Health | Public Health Education and Promotion | Virus Diseases

Abstract

Incorporating patients’ preferences into healthcare decisions has been identified as one mechanism for reducing health disparities. Some research suggests that providers need to tailor medical recommendations to the preferences of their patients. Yet there are few tools to facilitate clarification of preferences for health services. This paper reports the process of testing an innovative preference elicitation technique—conjoint analysis—among minorities and low literacy patients using the example of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. CRC screening exemplifies preference-sensitive healthcare as there exist several screening options. However, screening rates among minorities are low. Better methods for preference assessment could improve patient-provider communication and increase patient adherence. This study used qualitative methods and piloting to refine and finalize a conjoint analysis preference assessment instrument. We conclude that conjoint analysis is a viable preference assessment methodology for use in vulnerable populations with appropriate tailoring of materials. Future work will evaluate integrating this method into clinical decision tools.

Recommended Citation

Hawley, Sarah T.; Jibaja-Weiss, Maria; Krishnamurthy, Partha; Vernon, Sally W.; Hebert, Natoshia; and Volk, Robert (2007) "Developing a Preference Assessment Tool for Use among Minority and Low Literacy Primary Care Patients," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 1: Iss. 3, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol1/iss3/2