Using discrete choice experiments to value informal care tasks: exploring preference heterogeneity

Mentzakis, Emmanouil, Ryan, Mandy and McNamee, Paul (2011) Using discrete choice experiments to value informal care tasks: exploring preference heterogeneity. Health Economics, 20 (8). pp. 930-944. ISSN 1099-1050

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Abstract

While informal care is a significant part of non-market economic activity, its value is rarely acknowledged, perhaps reflecting a lack of market data. Traditional methods to value such care include opportunity and replacement cost. This study is the first to employ the discrete choice experiment methodology to value informal care tasks. A monetary value is estimated for three tasks (personal care, supervising and household tasks). The relationship between time spent on formal and informal care is also modelled and preference heterogeneity investigated using the Latent Class Model. Complementarity between supervising tasks and formal care is observed. Monetary compensation is important, with willingness to accept per hour values ranging from £0.38 to £0.83 for personal care, £0.75 for supervising and £0.31 to £0.6 for household tasks. Heterogeneity in preferences is observed, with monetary compensation being important for younger people, but insignificant for older individuals. Such heterogeneity is important at the policy level. Values are lower than those generated by opportunity cost and replacement cost methods, perhaps because of the limited ability of revealed preference methods to capture broader aspect of utility. Differences with contingent valuation methods are also observed, suggesting future research should investigate the external validity of the different methods.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User: EPrints Services
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2010 11:13
Last Modified: 23 Oct 2022 00:36
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/15646
DOI: 10.1002/hec.1656

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