| Abstract: |
The standard assumption in economic theory is that preferences do not change
as a result of experience with the commodity/service/event. Behavioural
scientists have challenged this assumption, claiming that preferences
constantly do change as experience is accumulated. This paper tests the effect
of experience with a health-care service on preferences for maternity-ward
attributes. In order to explore the effect of experience on preferences, the
research sample was decomposed into three sub-samples: women pregnant with
their first child (no experience); women after one delivery (single
experience); and women after more than one delivery (multiple experiences).
The preference patterns of the three sub-groups were estimated and compared. A
Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) was employed for establishing the relative
importance of the following attributes: number of beds in room; attitude of
staff; professionalism of staff; information delivered by personnel; and
travel time from residence to hospital. Socio-economic background variables
(education, age, and income) were also considered. The basic findings are that
preferences change significantly as a result of experience with the health
event; that the effect of experience is attribute-specific; that the extent of
past experience (number of deliveries) is irrelevant; and that the effect of
experience differs by socio-economic status. |