Una Stenberg1, Andre Vågan2, Maria Flink3, Vibeke Lynggaard4, Kari Fredriksen5, Karl Fredrik Westermann6, Frode Gallefoss7. 1. Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Learning and Mastery in Health, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: una.stenberg@mestring.no. 2. Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Learning and Mastery in Health, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: andre.vaagan@mestring.no. 3. Medical Management Centre, LIME and Department of Social Work, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.flink@ki.se. 4. Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Cardiology, Regional Hospital West Jutland, Herning, Denmark. Electronic address: viblyn@rm.dk. 5. Learning and Mastery Center, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. Electronic address: kari.fredriksen@sus.no. 6. Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Learning and Mastery in Health, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: karl.fredrik.westermann@gmail.com. 7. Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sorlandet Hospital, Kristiansand S, Norway. Electronic address: frode.gallefoss@sshf.no.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive overview of health economic evaluations of patient education interventions for people living with chronic illness. METHODS: Relevant literature published between 2000 and 2016 has been comprehensively reviewed, with attention paid to variations in study, intervention, and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 4693 titles identified, 56 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. Of the studies reviewed, 46 concluded that patient education interventions were beneficial in terms of decreased hospitalization, visits to Emergency Departments or General Practitioners, provide benefits in terms of quality-adjusted life years, and reduce loss of production. Eight studies found no health economic impact of the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review strongly suggest that patient education interventions, regardless of study design and time horizon, are an effective tool to cut costs. This is a relatively new area of research, and there is a great need of more research within this field. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In bringing this evidence together, our hope is that healthcare providers and managers can use this information within a broad decision-making process, as guidance in discussions of care quality and of how to provide appropriate, cost-effective patient education interventions.
OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive overview of health economic evaluations of patient education interventions for people living with chronic illness. METHODS: Relevant literature published between 2000 and 2016 has been comprehensively reviewed, with attention paid to variations in study, intervention, and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 4693 titles identified, 56 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. Of the studies reviewed, 46 concluded that patient education interventions were beneficial in terms of decreased hospitalization, visits to Emergency Departments or General Practitioners, provide benefits in terms of quality-adjusted life years, and reduce loss of production. Eight studies found no health economic impact of the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review strongly suggest that patient education interventions, regardless of study design and time horizon, are an effective tool to cut costs. This is a relatively new area of research, and there is a great need of more research within this field. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In bringing this evidence together, our hope is that healthcare providers and managers can use this information within a broad decision-making process, as guidance in discussions of care quality and of how to provide appropriate, cost-effective patient education interventions.