Palliative care and catastrophic costs in Malawi after a diagnosis of advanced cancer: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inclusive universal health coverage requires access to quality health care without financial barriers. Receipt of palliative care after advanced cancer diagnosis might reduce household poverty, but evidence from low-income and middle-income settings is sparse.

Methods

In this prospective study, the primary objective was to investigate total household costs of cancer-related health care after a diagnosis of advanced cancer, with and without the receipt of palliative care. Households comprising patients and their unpaid family caregiver were recruited into a cohort study at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi, between Jan 16 and July 31, 2019. Costs of cancer-related health-care use (including palliative care) and health-related quality-of-life were recorded

SUBMITTER: Jane Bates M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8600125 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature