Journal article icon

Journal article

Assessing the experimental EuroQol toddler and infant populations (EQ-TIPS) descriptive system: a protocol integrating discrete choice experiment (DCE) surveys in instrument development

Abstract:

Introduction The experimental EuroQol Toddler and Infant Populations (EQ-TIPS) instrument is currently under development as a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure for toddlers and infants aged 0–36 months. Using this protocol, researchers can conduct surveys with discrete choice experiments (DCEs) that examine the key properties of HRQoL instruments, specifically whether severity aligns with preferences across each attribute and the extent to which attributes influence choices. To demonstrate this protocol, we will conduct two waves of DCE surveys using different choice tasks and a common scenario (a 1-month health episode for a 1-year-old child).

Methods and analysis In the first wave (a general population sample of 400 Australian adults; 14 kaizen tasks each), respondents will view a single EQ-TIPS-five-level (v3.0) profile for each task and be asked to make a series of choices that sequentially alleviate the child’s health problems. Using this exploratory evidence, we will assess whether EQ-TIPS severity aligns with preferences and the extent to which each attribute level influences choices (ie, main effects). In the second wave (1000 Australian adults; 28 paired comparisons), respondents will see two EQ-TIPS profiles for each task and be asked to choose between them. Using this confirmatory evidence, we will compare the main effects and their uncertainty by wave. For each DCE, we will estimate a main-effects conditional logit model and test for differences in effects using cluster bootstrap techniques. As sensitivity analyses, we will evaluate the effects of task sequence, attribute order and sample size on uncertainty in each wave.

Ethics and dissemination The independent review board at Includovate evaluated the application for ethical clearance and approved the study on 19 February 2025. To disseminate our findings, we will prepare multiple manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present highlights at scientific meetings, such as the EuroQol Plenary Meeting and the International Academy of Health Preference Research.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

Actions

Access Document

Files:
Publisher copy:
10.1136/bmjopen-2025-100897

Authors

More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-1121-1316
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Nuffield Department of Population Health
Sub department:
NPEU
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-2233-6544


Publisher:
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal:
BMJ Open More from this journal
Volume:
15
Issue:
7
Article number:
e100897
Publication date:
2025-07-08
Acceptance date:
2025-06-18
DOI:
EISSN:
2044-6055
Pmid:
40633947


Language:
English
Pubs id:
2243361
Local pid:
pubs:2243361
Deposit date:
2025-07-14
ARK identifier:

Terms of use


Views and Downloads






If you are the owner of this record, you can report an update to it here: Report update to this record

TO TOP