Abstract
Palliative care is crucial care for cancer patients, especially those who are moving toward the end-stage. The World Health Organization states that palliative care is low cost. However, a cost analysis of such care is limited in Thailand. This study aimed to perform a cost analysis of palliative care for cancer in a community hospital. The analysis was conducted based on two perspectives: the health care provider’s and the patient’s. Cost data of 42 palliative cancer patients were recorded from January 1 to December 31, 2018. The cost of the provider’s perspective included labor and material costs from three departments: outpatient, inpatient, and home-visit, whereas the patient’s perspective covered the direct medical cost, direct non-medical cost, and opportunity cost. Results show that the average cost of the provider’s perspective was 16,525 ± 14,979 baht per patient: from outpatient 4,309 ± 7,103 baht, inpatient 10,915 ± 11,704 baht, and home care 1,301 ± 1,977 baht. The cost on provider’s perspective was mainly born by medical materials (68%). The average cost on the patient’s perspective was 38,707 ± 32,943 baht per patient: 5,262 ± 5,571 baht for outpatient, 6,231 ± 7,355 baht inpatient, 20,806 ± 20,454 baht home care, and 6,408 ± 17,336 baht for seeking other healthcare. The patient cost was predominantly opportunity cost (69%). The Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Security Office should consider the budget plan for palliative care.
