Out-of-pocket expenditures of outpatients receiving chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the magnitude of out-of-pocket expenditures for patients undergoing chemotherapy in an outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
An urban outpatient chemotherapy clinic.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 20 adult patients with cancer.


METHODS
Birenbaum's Cost Interview Schedule was administered to patients as they awaited treatment in the chemotherapy clinic; demographic data were collected from patients' charts.


METHODS
Out-of-pocket expenditures incurred during a one-month period of chemotherapy treatment.


RESULTS
Estimated out-of-pocket expenses, excluding lost income, ranged widely from $12-$3,130.


CONCLUSIONS
Out-of-pocket expenses come from multiple sources over time and can be more costly than previously recognized. Extent of out-of-pocket expenditures may depend on treatment protocol, ease of symptom management, functional status, and nonclinical elements such as socioeconomic factors. Additional investigation can identify which patients are most vulnerable to excessive out-of-pocket expenses and who may be at risk for treatment delay or withdrawal because of difficulties in meeting expenses.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognition of the hidden costs incurred by patients with cancer as they undergo treatment enables nurses to anticipate the financial burden of illness, make necessary referrals, address quality-of-life issues because of financial distress, and avert critical delays in treatment related to overwhelming healthcare costs.
Moore
K
K
Wayne State University's College of Nursing, Detroit, MI, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000191:economics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000191:economics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents