3 research outputs found
Time trade-off: one methodology, different methods
Abstract There is no scientific consensus on the optimal
specification of the time trade-off (TTO) task. As a consequence,
studies using TTO to value health states may
share the core element of trading length of life for quality
of life, but can differ considerably on many other elements.
While this pluriformity in specifications advances the
understanding of TTO from a methodological point of
view, it also results in incomparable health state values.
Health state values are applied in health technology
assessments, and in that context comparability of information
is desired. In this article, we discuss several alternative
specifications of TTO presented in the literature.
The defining elements of these specifications are identified
as being either methodological, procedural or analytical in
nature. Where possible, it is indicated how these elements
affect health state values (i.e., upward or downward).
Finally, a checklist for TTO studies is presented, which
incorporates a list of choices to be made by researchers
who wish to perform a TTO task. Such a checklist enables
other researchers to align methodologies in order to
enhance the comparability of health state values