Clients and professionals elicit long-term care preferences by using ‘What matters to me’: A process evaluation

Abstract Background: ‘What matters to me’ is a five-category preference elicitation tool to assist clients and professionals in choosing long-term care. This study aimed to evaluate the use of and experiences with this tool.Methods: A mixed-method process evaluation was applied. Participants were clients, relatives, and professionals. They were all involved in decision-making on long-term care. Data collection comprised online user activity logs (N=71), questionnaires (N=38), and interviews (N=20). Descriptive statistics was used for quantitative data, and a thematic analysis for qualitative data.Results: Sixty-nine percent of participants completed one or more categories in an average time of 6.9 (±0.03) minutes. The tool was rated 6.63 (±0.88) out of seven in the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ). Ninety-five percent experienced the tool as useful in practice. Suggestions for improvement included a separate version for relatives and a non-digital version. Although professionals thought the potentially extended consultation time could be problematic, all participants would recommend the tool to others.Conclusion: ‘What matters to me’ seems useful to assist clients and professionals with preference elicitation for long-term care. Evaluation of the impact on consultations between clients and professionals by using ‘What matters to me’ is needed.