What is important for Israeli women who give birth? Estimation of the preference structure using a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE)

Introduction: This article aims to estimate the preference structure of attributes of maternity-wards, as expressed by Israeli women who recently gave birth. Research Design: The estimation is based on data generated by an experiment that simulates actual choices of hospital (Discrete Choice experiment). The sample includes 323 women who gave birth in the year 2003 in three large hospitals in the central part of Israel (The Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer The Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva and the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba). Summary of Findings and Conclusions: It was found that the ranking of attributes (in a descending order in terms of importance) is: professionalism of the staff, attention of staff towards the patient, transfer of information, and travel time from residence to the hospital. Most women who gave birth did not care about the number of beds in the room at hospitalization (that represents the physical facilities). The technique used in this study is unique and can assist policymakers in allocation of funds, analysis of new policies even before they have been implemented and inclusion of new services.