Patient Preference Attribute Library Paper

The Attribute Library project was developed by MDIC to make the design of patient preference studies faster, clearer, and more consistent.

In these studies, “attributes” represent the specific features of a treatment, outcome, or care process that participants are asked to compare. These features are the foundation of the data collected, shaping how trade-offs are evaluated and what insights can be drawn.

However, developing strong attributes from scratch takes considerable time and effort. Even studies on the same topic often define similar attributes in very different ways, making it difficult to compare results or build on past work.

To address this challenge, the project introduces two core tools:

• A taxonomy that brings clarity and consistency to how attributes are described, including details like level types, data formats, and presentation style

• A prototype Attribute Library, a searchable database of published attributes that researchers can reference, adapt, and reuse

Together, these tools support more efficient study design, reduce duplication of effort, and improve the quality and comparability of findings. The goal is to help researchers center studies around what matters most to patients, using tested language and frameworks to inform better health decisions.

Read our peer-reviewed publication here: Developing Tools for the Efficient Design of Health Preference Studies: Taxonomy of Attributes and Prototype of an Attribute Library

Want to learn more? Check out the Science of Patient Input (SPI) Program and the Attribute Library project page.