Marjon Van der Pol, University of Aberdeen- Time preferences for health
Title: Time preferences for health
Abstract: Many decisions have consequences which extend over time including education, savings and health(care) decisions. Time preferences (preference for immediate utility over delayed utility) is a key parameter in economic models of intertemporal choices. The interest in eliciting time preferences for health has increased rapidly over the last few decades. This interest has two main sources: a concern over the appropriate methods for taking timing into account in economics evaluations; and a desire to obtain a better understanding of individual health and health care behaviour. In this presentation I will give an overview of my research in this area and outline some key outstanding research questions. The talk will cover questions such as:
- How do we best elicit individuals’ time preferences (for health)?
- What underlying model is most appropriate? Should we incorporate behavioural biases such as present bias?
- Does time preference play a role in lifestyle decisions and if so how can we use this information to devise interventions?
- What is the role of time preference in decision making by clinicians and within the patient-doctor interaction?
Presenter: Marjon Van der Pol, University of Aberdeen
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