Patient preferences for conservative treatment of shoulder pain: a discrete choice experiment

Annelotte H C Versloot*, Jorien Veldwijk, Ramon P G Ottenheijm, Marloes de Graaf, Daniëlle A van der Windt, Bart W Koes, Jos Runhaar, Dieuwke Schiphof

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain is common amongst adults, but little is known about patients' preferences. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine patients' preferences for treatment options offered for shoulder pain in primary care. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment was used to investigate these preferences. Adults with shoulder pain were asked to make 12 choices between two treatment options, or to opt-out. The attributes of the 12 treatment options were presented as varying in: treatment effectiveness (50%, 70%, or 90%), risk of relapse (10%, 20%, or 30%), time to pain reduction (2 or 6 weeks), prevention of relapse (yes/no), requiring injection (yes/no), and including physiotherapy (none, 6, or 12 sessions). A conditional logit model with latent class analysis was used for the analysis and a class assignment model. RESULTS: Three hundred and twelve participants completed the questionnaire with mean age of 52 ± 15.2 years. Latent class analysis revealed three groups. Group 1 preferred to opt-out, unless the attributes were highly favorable (90% effectiveness). Group 2 preferred treatment, but not an injection. Group 3 preferred to opt-out and did not opt for treatment. The likelihood of a participant belonging to one of these groups was 68.8%, 9.3%, and 21.9%, respectively. The class assignment was related to having previously received injection or physiotherapy, as they did not prefer that same treatment again. CONCLUSION: This study showed that most patients with shoulder pain prefer to opt-out, unless treatment attributes are highly favorable. Characteristics of influence on this decision was whether the patient had received an injection or physiotherapy before.
Original languageEnglish
JournalFamily Practice
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 10 Oct 2024

Keywords

  • conservative treatment
  • decision making
  • exercise therapy
  • patient preference
  • primary health care
  • shoulder pain

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