How to conduct a discrete choice experiment for health workforce recruitment and retention in remote and rural areas : a user guide with case studies

This guide aims to provide easy-to-read information and step-by-step advice on a quantitative research method that can help identify appropriate policy responses to health workforce shortages in remote and rural areas. This method can provide policy makers with quantitative measures of the relative importance of different job characteristics that influence the choice of health workers for rural postings. The guide gives details about the types of questions such a method can (or cannot) answer, and the type of data, analysis, and analytical skills required to perform the research. It will use two case studies to illustrate the challenges and the ways to overcome them in conducting the work. Finally, it will provide information on the logistical and scientific requirements to perform such research and will offer links to resources for more detailed scientific and academic materials that can be consulted by advanced researchers. First section gives an overview of the stages involved in conducting a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE), and the issues that can arise. For each step, a summary box highlights the key messages, followed by detailed explanations of the concepts, data requirements, and statistical approaches. This section uses examples from published DCEs to illustrate the various elements of each step. It offers good practical guidance to the reader, along with further details, useful technical resources, and references to software packages. A small subsection pulls together information on logistical requirements and challenges in conducting a DCE. First section then offers some concluding comments. Second and third sections provide two case studies one each from Tanzania and Uganda to illustrate in more depth the practicalities of conducting the work.