Preferences for Genetic Testing to Predict the Risk of Developing Hereditary Cancer: A Systematic Review of Discrete Choice Experiments

discrete choice experiment
genetic testing
systematic review
Authors

Morrish, N.

Snowsill, T.

Dodman, S.

Medina-Lara, A.

Published

Feb 2024

Abstract

Background Understanding service user preferences is key to effective health care decision making and efficient resource allocation. It is of particular importance in the management of high-risk patients in whom predictive genetic testing can alter health outcomes. Purpose This review aims to identify the relative importance and willingness to pay for attributes of genetic testing in hereditary cancer syndromes. Data Sources Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, HMIC, Web of Science, and EconLit using discrete choice experiment (DCE) terms combined with terms related to hereditary cancer syndromes, malignancy synonyms, and genetic testing. Study Selection Following independent screening by 3 reviewers, 7 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, being a DCE investigating patient or public preferences related to predictive genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes. Data Extraction Extracted data included study and respondent characteristics, DCE attributes and levels, methods of data analysis and interpretation, and key study findings. Data Synthesis Studies covered colorectal, breast, and ovarian cancer syndromes. Results were summarized in a narrative synthesis and the quality assessed using the Lancsar and Louviere framework. Limitations This review focuses only on DCE design and testing for hereditary cancer syndromes rather than other complex diseases. Challenges also arose from heterogeneity in attributes and levels. Conclusions Test effectiveness and detection rates were consistently important to respondents and thus should be prioritized by policy makers. Accuracy, cost, and wait time, while also important, showed variation between studies, although overall reduction in cost may improve uptake. Patients and the public would be willing to pay for improved detection and clinician over insurance provider involvement. Future studies should seek to contextualize findings by considering the impact of sociodemographic characteristics, health system coverage, and insurance policies on preferences.

Citation

BibTeX citation:
@article{n.2024,
  author = {Morrish, N. and Snowsill, T. and Dodman, S. and Medina-Lara,
    A.},
  title = {Preferences for {Genetic} {Testing} to {Predict} the {Risk}
    of {Developing} {Hereditary} {Cancer:} {A} {Systematic} {Review} of
    {Discrete} {Choice} {Experiments}},
  journal = {Medical Decision Making},
  date = {2024-02-07},
  url = {https://tristansnowsill.co.uk/preferences-for-genetic-testing-to-predict-the-risk.html},
  doi = {10.1177/0272989x241227425},
  langid = {en},
  abstract = {**Background** Understanding service user preferences is
    key to effective health care decision making and efficient resource
    allocation. It is of particular importance in the management of
    high-risk patients in whom predictive genetic testing can alter
    health outcomes. **Purpose** This review aims to identify the
    relative importance and willingness to pay for attributes of genetic
    testing in hereditary cancer syndromes. **Data Sources** Searches
    were conducted in Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, HMIC, Web of Science,
    and EconLit using discrete choice experiment (DCE) terms combined
    with terms related to hereditary cancer syndromes, malignancy
    synonyms, and genetic testing. **Study Selection** Following
    independent screening by 3 reviewers, 7 studies fulfilled the
    inclusion criteria, being a DCE investigating patient or public
    preferences related to predictive genetic testing for hereditary
    cancer syndromes. **Data Extraction** Extracted data included study
    and respondent characteristics, DCE attributes and levels, methods
    of data analysis and interpretation, and key study findings. **Data
    Synthesis** Studies covered colorectal, breast, and ovarian cancer
    syndromes. Results were summarized in a narrative synthesis and the
    quality assessed using the Lancsar and Louviere framework.
    **Limitations** This review focuses only on DCE design and testing
    for hereditary cancer syndromes rather than other complex diseases.
    Challenges also arose from heterogeneity in attributes and levels.
    **Conclusions** Test effectiveness and detection rates were
    consistently important to respondents and thus should be prioritized
    by policy makers. Accuracy, cost, and wait time, while also
    important, showed variation between studies, although overall
    reduction in cost may improve uptake. Patients and the public would
    be willing to pay for improved detection and clinician over
    insurance provider involvement. Future studies should seek to
    contextualize findings by considering the impact of sociodemographic
    characteristics, health system coverage, and insurance policies on
    preferences.}
}
For attribution, please cite this work as:
Morrish, N., Snowsill, T., Dodman, S., and Medina-Lara, A. 2024. “Preferences for Genetic Testing to Predict the Risk of Developing Hereditary Cancer: A Systematic Review of Discrete Choice Experiments.” Medical Decision Making, February. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272989x241227425.