Willingness to pay and preferences for mindfulness-based interventions among patients with chronic low back pain in the Hong Kong public healthcare sector.

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are effective for LBP management when combined with medication and physical therapy. An understanding of patients' willingness to pay (WTP) and preferences is needed to integrate MBIs into standard LBP care. We examined WTP and preferences for MBIs, as well as associated factors, among patients with chronic LBP in the Hong Kong public healthcare sector.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two Hong Kong public hospitals. We used the payment card method to assess patients' WTP for MBIs and performed a discrete choice experiment to examine patients' preferences for MBIs. Tobit regression was utilised to analyse factors associated with WTP for MBIs. Patients' relative preferences for MBIs were estimated through a mixed logit model.

Results: Mean WTP for an eight-session course of MBIs was HK$258.75±508.11. Higher pain scores, monthly family income >HK$30 000, high school education, higher treatment expenses, and stronger belief in MBIs were associated with greater WTP. Patients were more likely to choose MBIs with lower costs, greater improvements in pain relief and the ability to perform daily activities, and a face-to-face delivery mode.

Conclusion: Patients with chronic LBP exhibited low WTP for MBIs. Strategies to improve education and awareness may enhance WTP; affordability and accessibility should be considered for individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The identified preferences provide insights for designing MBIs that align with patient needs. These findings offer valuable methodological references for other healthcare evaluations.