Can Preference Scores for Discrete States Be Used to Derive Preference Scores for an Entire Path of Events?

The authors conducted a study exploring whether preferences for sequences of events can be approximated by preferences for component discrete states. Visual-analog-scale (VAS) and standard-gamble (SG) scores for a subset of the possible sequences of events (path states) and component temporary and chronic outcomes (discrete states) that can follow prenatal diagnostic decisions were elicited from 121 pregnant women facing a choice between …