Perceived importance of attributes and levels from choice tasks
| Attributes and levels | Number of times selected/number of times presented (%) | Standardised utility (β) (95% CI) | Attribute utility range | Attribute importance scores (%)* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pain characteristics | |||||
| Dull ache | 2040/4315 (47) | −0.08 (−0.114 to −0.048) | 0.16 | 5 | |
| Severe unpredictable episodes | 2275/4315 (53) | 0.08 (0.048 to 0.114) | |||
| 2. Level of disruption to everyday life | |||||
| None | 835/2840 (29) | −0.65 (−0.706 to −0.590) | 1.10 | 31 | |
| Some | 1590/2859 (56) | 0.20 (0.147 to 0.255) | |||
| Most | 1892/2931 (65) | 0.45 (0.392 to 0.502) | |||
| 3. Comorbidity | |||||
| None | 1275/2944 (43) | −0.22 (−0.276 to −0.169) | 0.46 | 13 | |
| Minor | 1390/2836 (49) | −0.01 (−0.065 to 0.044) | |||
| Major | 1651/2850 (58) | 0.23 (0.179 to 0.287) | |||
| 4. Assessment | |||||
| Asks about symptoms and impact | 1136/2853 (40) | −0.27 (−0.328 to −0.219) | 0.48 | 14 | |
| As above plus thorough physical examination | 1507/2842 (53) | 0.06 (0.007 to 0.117) | |||
| As above, appropriate X-rays /bloods | 1678/2935 (57) | 0.21 (0.157 to 0.265) | |||
| 5. Management | |||||
| Pain relief, verbal advice | 1178/2930 (40) | −0.26 (−0.312 to −0.208) | 0.45 | 13 | |
| Pain relief, written advice, PN f/up, PT referral | 1530/2858 (54) | 0.07 (0.012 to 0.120) | |||
| Pain relief, written advice, PN follow-up, PT referral, promising new treatment | 1609/2842 (57) | 0.19 (0.141 to 0.247) | |||
| 6. GP attitude | |||||
| Normal ageing, accept it | 1360/4315 (32) | −0.43 (−0.466 to −0.397) | 0.86 | 24 | |
| Legitimate problem, requires treatment | 2955/4315 (68) | 0.43 (0.397 to 0.466) | |||
*Attribute utility range/sum total of attribute utility ranges.
GP, general practitioner; PN f/up, practice nurse follow-up; PT physiotherapy.