Understanding health state valuations: A qualitative analysis of respondents' comments

Abstract

Self-completed questionnaires (usually distributed by post) and visual analogue scales (VAS) are common means for collecting valuations for hypothetical EQ-5D health states. Although opportunities for respondents to comment on aspects of the exercise are often included, these data have rarely been the focus of analyses. This paper, therefore, reports on solicited and unsolicited written comments received in a New Zealand survey in 1999 to which 1360 people responded of whom approximately 50% made comments. The comments were systematically analysed via an inductive process that allowed principal themes to emerge with respect to understanding the peculiarities of respondents' valuations, parti..