Jamshidi Orak R¹ * (PhD), Haghani H¹ (MSc), Mohaghegh B² (PhD), Roustaei N¹ (MSc)

  ¹ Department of Statistics and Mathematics, School of Health Management and Information Sciences,

  Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  ² Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences,

  Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  Received: 25 Nov 2011, Accepted: 17 Aug 2012

  Abstract

  Introduction: Needs of patients is one of the most important issues that should be considered in decision making of managers in hospitals. This study aimed to determine preferences of patients referring to the outpatient clinic of Firoozgar hospital.

  Methods: In this study, 150 patients referring to the outpatient clinic were selected using convenience sampling method in 2011. We used the choice based conjoint analysis to conduct the study and analyze the data.

  Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.76 (±0.738). Most of the participants (70%) were female and 30% were male. Doctors' consultation with patients was the most important issue from the participants point of view (relative importance=37.1%). The second important issue was the formation of medical records (relative importance=21.6%). The least important issue was the way of setting appointments (relative importance=10.2%).

  Conclusion: Patients needs and views should be noticed in all stages of planning, implementation and evaluation of patient-oriented interventions. Meeting the needs of patients may lead to enhance the quality of services provided and patients' satisfaction. Several research tools and methods are provided to capture patients' views and preferences in health care services . The choice based conjoint analysis is recommended to apply in studies that assess participants' views.

  Key words: choice based conjoint analysis, part worth, hospital services.

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Jamshidi Orak R, Haghani H, Mohaghegh B, Roustaei N. Preferences of Clients Referring Firoozgar Hospital: Choice Based Conjoint Analysis. Hakim Research Journal 2012 15(3): 213- 220.

  * Corresponding Author: Department of Statistics and Mathematics, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel: +98- 21- 88794302, Fax: +98- 21- 88793805,
E-mail: r-jamshidi@tums.ac.ir