PURPOSE: Patient out-of-pocket costs are higher for cancer care than for any other health-care sector. Oncologist-patient discussions of costs are not well understood. We conducted an exploratory interview study to examine the frequency, patterns, attitudes, and preferences of both patients and providers on discussion of treatment costs. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with oncology clinicians and people receiving chemotherapy at a large nonprofit health system. Multiple investigators conducted thematic analysis using modified content analysis, grounded theory, and interaction analysis methods. RESULTS: Patient themes included the relevance of cost to their experience, preference for the doctor to be the starting point of cost discussions, but relative infrequency of discussions with doctors or other care team member. Provider themes were an emphasis on clinical benefit above costs, conviction that cost-related decisions should rest with patients, and lack of access to treatment costs. Interest in discussing costs and barriers accessing cost information were common themes from both patients and providers. CONCLUSIONS: Doctors and patients want to discuss treatment costs but lack access to them. These data support growing evidence for a provider role in discussions of cost during cancer treatment planning.
PURPOSE:Patient out-of-pocket costs are higher for cancer care than for any other health-care sector. Oncologist-patient discussions of costs are not well understood. We conducted an exploratory interview study to examine the frequency, patterns, attitudes, and preferences of both patients and providers on discussion of treatment costs. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with oncology clinicians and people receiving chemotherapy at a large nonprofit health system. Multiple investigators conducted thematic analysis using modified content analysis, grounded theory, and interaction analysis methods. RESULTS:Patient themes included the relevance of cost to their experience, preference for the doctor to be the starting point of cost discussions, but relative infrequency of discussions with doctors or other care team member. Provider themes were an emphasis on clinical benefit above costs, conviction that cost-related decisions should rest with patients, and lack of access to treatment costs. Interest in discussing costs and barriers accessing cost information were common themes from both patients and providers. CONCLUSIONS: Doctors and patients want to discuss treatment costs but lack access to them. These data support growing evidence for a provider role in discussions of cost during cancer treatment planning.
Authors: Scott R Berry; Chaim M Bell; Peter A Ubel; William K Evans; Eric Nadler; Elizabeth L Strevel; Peter J Neumann Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2010-08-09 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Susanne J de Kort; Nuala Kenny; Paul van Dijk; Sjef Gevers; Dick J Richel; Dick L Willems Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2007-07-09 Impact factor: 9.162
Authors: Aneta Dimoska; Afaf Girgis; Vibeke Hansen; Phyllis N Butow; Martin H N Tattersall Journal: Med J Aust Date: 2008 Dec 1-15 Impact factor: 7.738
Authors: Inger Ekman; Karl Swedberg; Charles Taft; Anders Lindseth; Astrid Norberg; Eva Brink; Jane Carlsson; Synneve Dahlin-Ivanoff; Inga-Lill Johansson; Karin Kjellgren; Eva Lidén; Joakim Öhlén; Lars-Eric Olsson; Henrik Rosén; Martin Rydmark; Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen Journal: Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs Date: 2011-07-20 Impact factor: 3.908
Authors: Robin L Whitney; Janice F Bell; Sarah C Reed; Rebecca Lash; Richard J Bold; Katherine K Kim; Andra Davis; David Copenhaver; Jill G Joseph Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2015-07-19 Impact factor: 4.442