Clustering and the design of preference-assessment surveys in healthcare.
Health Serv Res
; 34(5 Pt 1): 1033-45, 1999 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10591271
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To show cluster analysis as a potentially useful tool in defining common outcomes empirically and in facilitating the assessment of preferences for health states. DATA SOURCES A survey of 224 patients with ventricular arrhythmias treated at Kaiser Permanente of Northern California. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:
Physical functioning was measured using the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and mental status and vitality using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 items (SF-36). A "k-means" clustering algorithm was used to identify prototypical health states, in which patients in the same cluster shared similar responses to items in the survey. PRINCIPALFINDINGS:
The clustering algorithm yielded four prototypical health states. Cluster 1 (21 percent of patients) was characterized by high scores on physical functioning, vitality, and mental health. Cluster 2 (33 percent of patients) had low physical function but high scores on vitality and mental health. Cluster 3 (29 percent of patients) had low physical function and low vitality but preserved mental health. Cluster 4 (17 percent of patients) had low scores on all scales. These clusters served as the basis of written descriptions of the health states.CONCLUSIONS:
Employing a clustering algorithm to analyze health status survey data enables researchers to gain a data-driven, concise summary of the experiences of patients.
Texto completo:
1
Temas:
ECOS
/
Aspectos_gerais
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Qualidade de Vida
/
Análise por Conglomerados
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Inquéritos e Questionários
/
Inquéritos Epidemiológicos
/
Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Health Serv Res
Ano de publicação:
1999
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos