THE TIME TRADE-OFF TECHNIQUE - HOW DO THE VALUATIONS OF BREAST-CANCERPATIENTS COMPARE TO THOSE OF OTHER GROUPS

The time trade-off method was incorporated into a study of valuation o f health states following treatment for breast cancer. A major aim of the work was to determine whether different groups give different valu ations. The time trade-off technique was simple and quick to administe r, acceptable to subjects, and produced different values in different groups. Age and sex of valuers had some influence: the most striking d ifferences were found between women who had experienced breast cancer and those who had not. The time trade-off method has considerable pote ntial in health state valuation. The choice of valuers needs to be fur ther explored.