Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries

Autor: Ali Darrudi, Amir Hossein Poupak, Rajabali Darroudi, Nasrin Sargazi, Kazem Zendehdel, Libby Sallnow, Ali Ghanbari Motlagh, Mamak Tahmasebi, Azin Nahvijou
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Palliative Care and Social Practice, Vol 18 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2632-3524
26323524
DOI: 10.1177/26323524241299819
Popis: Background: End-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer can impose a significant financial burden. However, data on the economic impact of end-of-life care in low- and middle-income countries are limited. Objective: This study aims to compare the costs associated with palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCU settings for cancer patients in Iran. Design: We designed a retrospective study at the largest hospital in the country. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of hospitalization costs and care service delivery for 150 patients in the final 5 days of life, who were admitted to the largest hospital complex in Iran. All costs were adjusted based on the 2018 USD exchange rate. Results: Among the 150 patients included in the study, 56 (37%) were admitted to the PCU. The average total treatment cost during the final 5 days of life was three times higher in general wards compared to PCUs. In non-PCU settings, the total cost of care during this period amounted to $2873, while in PCU settings, it was $909.63. Conclusion: The establishment of PCUs within tertiary hospitals and the provision of palliative consultation services to patients with advanced cancer can yield significant benefits, even when resources are limited.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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