Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: To survey, analyze, and ascertain the preferences for Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Granules among patients in southwest China and to provide evidence to support medical insurance policy in China.
METHODS: To identify essential service attributes and levels, a review of the literature, discussions with TCM experts and a pilot questionnaire were conducted. Six relevant attributes were identified and incorporated into the DCE questionnaire. The discrete-choice experiment (DCE) questionnaire used a D-efficient fractional factorial design. A face-to-face survey of patients was conducted at three medical institutions authorized to prescribe TCM formula granules in Chengdu and Kunming, China. A mixed logit model was used for estimation,and interaction terms tested subgroup differences. Willingness to pay (WTP) calculated based on the compensating variation method using piecewise linear interpolation.
RESULTS: A total of 363 participants completed the survey (mean age 36 years, 33.60% males), and 73.00% had received TCM treatment within the past year. The preference weights of all attributes, except moderate convenience level (β=-0.1695 p=0.1955) , were statistically significant and in the expected direction. The efficacy was the most influential attribute (relative importance, 39.02%), followed by monthly out-of-pocket cost (26.99%) and physician recommendation strength (14.09%). All six attributes exhibited significant preference heterogeneity. Women and the employed placed greater importance on convenience, patients covered by urban and rural resident medical insurance preferred lower out-of-pocket costs, and less educated individuals valued efficacy more. Improvement in efficacy yielded the highest WTP, patients would pay 2945.72 yuan to move from partial response to complete response.
CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy and monthly out-of-pocket cost are the two most influential factors affecting patients' choices. Attribute preferences vary across population subgroups. These results enable clinicians and patients to select therapies consistent with patient preferences. WTP for attribute improvements provide an evidence-based rationale for pricing of TCM formula granules and formulating medical insurance policies.