WILLINGNESS-TO-PAY FOR POISON CONTROL CENTERS

We used the willingness-to-pay (WTP) method to value the benefits of p oison control centers when direct access was blocked, comparing WTP am ong: (I) blocked callers (n = 396), (2) callers after access was resto red (n = 418), and (3) the general population (n = 119). Mean monthly WTP was $6.70 (blocked callers), $6.11 (non-blocked callers), and $2.5 5 (general population). Blocked and non-blocked callers had a signific antly higher WTP than general population respondents (p < 0.001). We c onclude that the WTP method measured benefits that are difficult to qu antify; however, WTP surveys need to be carefully conducted to minimiz e bias. We discuss how this approach could be useful for other health care services. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.