title: Expanding Local Cancer Clinical Trial Options: Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Midwest Cancer Alliance in Kansas.
abstract: Patients benefit from receiving cancer treatment closer to home when possible and at high-volume regional centers when specialized care is required. The purpose of this analysis was to estimate the economic impact of retaining more patients in-state for cancer clinical trials and care, which might offset some of the costs of establishing broader cancer trial and treatment networks.
  
  
  
  Kansas Cancer Registry data were used to estimate the number of patients retained in-state for cancer care following the expansion of local cancer clinical trial options through the Midwest Cancer Alliance based at the University of Kansas Medical Center. The 2014 economic impact of this enhanced local clinical trial network was estimated in four parts: Medical spending was estimated on the basis of National Cancer Institute cost-of-care estimates. Household travel cost savings were estimated as the difference between in-state and out-of-state travel costs. Trial-related grant income was calculated from administrative records. Indirect and induced economic benefits to the state were estimated using an economic impact model.
  
  
  
  The authors estimated that the enhanced local cancer clinical trial network resulted in approximately $6.9 million in additional economic activity in the state in 2014, or $362,000 per patient retained in-state. This estimate includes $3.6 million in direct spending and $3.3 million in indirect economic activity. The enhanced trial network also resulted in 45 additional jobs.
  
  
  
  Retaining patients in-state for cancer care and clinical trial participation allows patients to remain closer to home for care and enhances the state economy.
authors.affiliation: J.A. Gafford is a PhD student, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas. T. Gurley-Calvez is associate professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas. H. Krebill is executive director, Midwest Cancer Alliance, Kansas City, Kansas. S.M. Lai is professor, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and director, Kansas Cancer Registry, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas. Christiadi is research associate/demographer, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. G.C. Doolittle is Capital Federal Masonic Professor, Medical Oncology, and medical director, Center for Telemedicine and Telehealth, University of Kansas School of Medicine, as well as medical director, Midwest Cancer Alliance, Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: J Atlee
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gafford
authors.forename: Tami
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gurley-Calvez
authors.forename: Hope
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krebill
authors.forename: Sue Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.lastname: Christiadi
authors.forename: Gary C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Doolittle
mesh_terms: D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000191:economics*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D018803:Models, Economic; D012042:Registries; D012931:Social Environment; D014195:Travel / Q000191:economics*