Patient Attitudes Regarding the Cost of Illness in Cancer Care.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

The cost of illness in cancer care and the subsequent distress has attracted scrutiny. Guidelines recommend enhanced discussion of costs, assuming this will reduce both stress and costs. Little is known about patient attitudes about cost considerations influencing treatment decisions.

Methods

A convenience-sample survey of patients currently receiving radiation and/or intravenous chemotherapy at an outpatient cancer center was performed. Assessments included prevalence and extent of financial burden, level of financial distress, attitudes about using costs to influence treatment decisions, and frequency or desirability of cost discussions with oncologists.

Results

A total of 132 participants (94%) responded. Overall, 47% reported high financial

SUBMITTER: Meisenberg BR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4591944 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature