Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Hospice-Palliative Care for Adults with Terminal Cancer in South Korea
10.3904/kjm.2019.94.3.273
- Author:
Yeong Jun JU
1
;
Woorim KIM
;
Yoon Soo CHOY
;
Joo Eun LEE
;
Sang Ah LEE
;
Jieun JANG
;
Eun Cheol PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2019;94(3):273-280
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS:Although there is growing interest in hospice-palliative care, little information is available on the effects of such care in South Korea. Addressing this research gap, i.e., determining the cost-effectiveness of hospice-palliative care in South Korea, will help guide policy. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness analysis of hospice-palliative care in adults diagnosed with terminal cancer.
METHODS:We used a Markov model to construct a decision tree, for an analysis comparing the general ward with the hospice-palliative ward in terms of patient quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Cost and quality of life were estimated based on published Korean studies. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as the incremental cost relative to the incremental effect. Additionally, a one-way sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the results.
RESULTS:Hospice-palliative ward care was more cost-effective than general ward care. The incremental cost was 290,401 Korean won (KRW) and the incremental effect was −0.25. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was −1,174,045 KRW. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the sensitivity analysis.
CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest that hospice-palliative ward care is more cost-effective than general ward care.
