The feasibility of additive conjoint measurement in measuring utilities in breast cancer patients

Abstract Evaluation of health outcomes can play a role in guiding individual treatment decisions. We developed a utility test based on the principles of conjoint measurement for use in patients with breast cancer. These patients can choose two treatment options: breast conserving treatment or amputation. The test was presented to patients who had undergone either mastectomy or breast conserving treatment for a malignant breast tumor ( n =15), to test feasibility and acceptability of the test. The test was modified after these first experiences and presented a second time to patients, who cooperated also in the first test round ( n =12). We discuss both our preliminary experiences with this test and its appropriateness for this specific clinical problem. We conclude, that this test is not readily convenient for this clinical problem, but that it is a promising approach to utility measurement in general, because of the extensive consistency checks that are possible. We outline the medical problems, for which the test can easily be adapted and the direction of future research in order to solve the problems that we encountered.