Experimental Design for the Valuation of the EQ-5D-5L

AbstractThe EQ-VT protocol for valuing the EQ-5D-5L offered the opportunity to develop a standardised experimental design to elicit EQ-5D-5L values. This chapter sets out the various aspects of the EQ-VT design and the basis on which methodological choices were made in regard to the stated preference methods used, i.e., composite time trade-off (cTTO) and discrete choice experiments (DCE). These choices include the sub-set of EQ-5D-5L health states to value using these methods; the number of cTTO and DCE valuation tasks per respondent; the minimum sample size needed; and the randomisation schema. This chapter also summarises the research studies developing and testing alternative experimental designs aimed at generating a “Lite” version of the EQ-VT design. This “Lite” version aimed to reduce the number of health states in the design, and thus the sample size, to increase the feasibility of undertaking valuation studies in countries with limited resources or recruitment possibilities. Finally, this chapter outlines remaining methodological issues to be addressed in future research, focusing on refinement of current design strategies, and identification of new designs for novel valuation approaches.