Abir El-Haouly1, Anais Lacasse1, Hares El-Rami2, Frederic Liandier2, Alice Dragomir3,4. 1. Département des Sciences de la Santé, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, Canada. 2. Centre Hospitalier de Rouyn-Noranda, Centre Intégré de Santé et de Services Sociaux de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue (CISSS-AT), Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 2A9, Canada. 3. Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada. 4. Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada.
Abstract
Background: In publicly funded healthcare systems, patients do not pay for medical visits but can experience costs stemming from travel or over-the-counter drugs. We lack information about the extent of this burden in Canadian remote regions. This study aimed to: (1) describe prostate cancer-related out-of-pocket costs and perceived financial burden, and (2) identify factors associated with such a perceived burden among prostate cancer patients living in a remote region of the province of Quebec (Canada). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 171 prostate cancer patients who consulted at the outpatient clinic of the Centre Hospitalier de Rouyn-Noranda. Results: The majority of patients (83%) had incurred out-of-pocket costs for their cancer care. The mean total cost incurred in the last three months was $517 and 22.3% reported a moderate, considerable or unsustainable burden. Multivariable analysis revealed that having incurred higher cancer-related out-of-pocket costs (OR: 1.001; 95%CI: 1.001-1.002) private drug insurance (vs. public, OR: 5.23; 95%CI: 1.13-24.17) was associated with a greater perceived financial burden. Having better physical health-related quality of life (OR: 0.95; 95%CI: 0.913-0.997), a university education (vs. elementary/high school level, OR: 0.03; 95%CI: 0.00-0.79), and an income between $40,000 and $79,999 (vs. ≤ $39,999, OR: 0.15; 95%CI: 0.03-0.69) were associated with a lower perceived burden. Conclusion: Prostate cancer patients incur out-of-pocket costs even if they were diagnosed many years ago and the perceived burden is significant. Greater attention should be paid to the development of services to help patients manage this burden.
Background: In publicly funded healthcare systems, patients do not pay for medical visits but can experience costs stemming from travel or over-the-counter drugs. We lack information about the extent of this burden in Canadian remote regions. This study aimed to: (1) describe prostate cancer-related out-of-pocket costs and perceived financial burden, and (2) identify factors associated with such a perceived burden among prostate cancerpatients living in a remote region of the province of Quebec (Canada). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 171 prostate cancerpatients who consulted at the outpatient clinic of the Centre Hospitalier de Rouyn-Noranda. Results: The majority of patients (83%) had incurred out-of-pocket costs for their cancer care. The mean total cost incurred in the last three months was $517 and 22.3% reported a moderate, considerable or unsustainable burden. Multivariable analysis revealed that having incurred higher cancer-related out-of-pocket costs (OR: 1.001; 95%CI: 1.001-1.002) private drug insurance (vs. public, OR: 5.23; 95%CI: 1.13-24.17) was associated with a greater perceived financial burden. Having better physical health-related quality of life (OR: 0.95; 95%CI: 0.913-0.997), a university education (vs. elementary/high school level, OR: 0.03; 95%CI: 0.00-0.79), and an income between $40,000 and $79,999 (vs. ≤ $39,999, OR: 0.15; 95%CI: 0.03-0.69) were associated with a lower perceived burden. Conclusion:Prostate cancerpatients incur out-of-pocket costs even if they were diagnosed many years ago and the perceived burden is significant. Greater attention should be paid to the development of services to help patients manage this burden.
Entities:
Keywords:
cost-of-illness; costs and cost analysis; health expenditures; out-of-pocket costs; perceived financial burden; prostate cancer; remote area
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