title: Willingness to pay for hospice care using the contingent valuation method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is necessary to develop a proper payment system for more health care facilities to provide hospice and palliative cares. In deciding the proper level of payment for hospice per diem fee, willingness to pay (WTP) may provide one of the critical information. This study was conducted to determine WTP for hospice care and to analyze those factors affecting WTP.
  
  
  METHODS
  A contingent valuation method with a double-bounded dichotomous-choice model was used. Interview survey was organized and conducted by a survey company from April 4 to 18, 2008. The mean WTP was calculated through an infinite integration of survival functions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average willingness to pay was found to be 42,240 Korean won (KRW) (USD 35), with the amount becoming higher as hospice services were deemed more necessary or where average monthly household income was higher. The amount was also higher among male respondents than females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To compare this WTP with actual cost (32,500 KRW) (USD 27) for hospice care. To facilitate hospice service, hospice specific payment system should be developed. This study provides information regarding the general public's preference of hospice service and their WTP for hospice care, and it may be useful in the decision-making process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy, Seoul Medical Center, Seou, Korea.
authors.forename: Mee-Ok
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kun-Sei
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung-Hoe
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji-Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Joo
mesh_terms: D005249:Fees and Charges; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011639:Public Opinion; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors