Major Depressive Disorder with Suicidal Ideation or Intent in Taiwan: A Discrete Choice Experiment of Psychiatrists’ Treatment Preferences

Abstract Objective: In this study, we intended to understand how psychiatrists in Taiwan value different attributes of pharmacological treatments for major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation or intent (MDSI). Novel therapies for MDSI differ from standard treatments in their route of administration, efficacy, and side effect profiles. Methods: Psychiatrists from Taiwan completed an online survey with a discrete choice experiment (DCE). MDSI treatment alternatives and standard of care oral antidepressants were described by cost, efficacy (24 h and one month), and side effect profile (drowsiness, nausea/headache/dizziness, dissociation, and short-term increase in blood pressure). The DCE responses were analyzed using a mixed multinomial logit model is correct. Results: Psychiatrists from Taiwan ( n = 83) showed a significant preference for a novel adjunct intranasal therapy over the current standard of care, oral antidepressants (β = [−8.386 ± 1.45369], t -ratio = −5.77, p < 0.001). Both efficacy and side effect profiles were found to be of importance. Nausea, headache, and dizziness were the least preferred side effects (β = [−0.12323 ± 0.02174], t -ratio = −5.67, p < 0.001). When cost was included in the model, the psychiatrists tended to prioritize those treatments with a low cost to patients or that was reimbursed. The highest relative attribute importance was response rate at 24 h (29.54%). Conclusion: Psychiatrists in Taiwan preferred treatment features of novel therapies for MDSI. These findings could be strengthened through undertaking a similar DCE with patients.