Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries

Background: End-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer can impose a significant financial burden. However, data on the economic impact of end-of-life care in low- and middle-income countries are limited. Objective: This study aims to compare the costs associated with palliative care units (P...

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Main Authors: Ali Darrudi, Amir Hossein Poupak, Rajabali Darroudi, Nasrin Sargazi, Kazem Zendehdel, Libby Sallnow, Ali Ghanbari Motlagh, Mamak Tahmasebi, Azin Nahvijou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-11-01
Series:Palliative Care and Social Practice
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524241299819
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author Ali Darrudi
Amir Hossein Poupak
Rajabali Darroudi
Nasrin Sargazi
Kazem Zendehdel
Libby Sallnow
Ali Ghanbari Motlagh
Mamak Tahmasebi
Azin Nahvijou
author_facet Ali Darrudi
Amir Hossein Poupak
Rajabali Darroudi
Nasrin Sargazi
Kazem Zendehdel
Libby Sallnow
Ali Ghanbari Motlagh
Mamak Tahmasebi
Azin Nahvijou
author_sort Ali Darrudi
collection DOAJ
description Background: End-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer can impose a significant financial burden. However, data on the economic impact of end-of-life care in low- and middle-income countries are limited. Objective: This study aims to compare the costs associated with palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCU settings for cancer patients in Iran. Design: We designed a retrospective study at the largest hospital in the country. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of hospitalization costs and care service delivery for 150 patients in the final 5 days of life, who were admitted to the largest hospital complex in Iran. All costs were adjusted based on the 2018 USD exchange rate. Results: Among the 150 patients included in the study, 56 (37%) were admitted to the PCU. The average total treatment cost during the final 5 days of life was three times higher in general wards compared to PCUs. In non-PCU settings, the total cost of care during this period amounted to $2873, while in PCU settings, it was $909.63. Conclusion: The establishment of PCUs within tertiary hospitals and the provision of palliative consultation services to patients with advanced cancer can yield significant benefits, even when resources are limited.
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issn 2632-3524
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spelling doaj-art-5a014121c3794aac95b30fdf5592fc512024-12-17T13:03:19ZengSAGE PublishingPalliative Care and Social Practice2632-35242024-11-011810.1177/26323524241299819Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countriesAli DarrudiAmir Hossein PoupakRajabali DarroudiNasrin SargaziKazem ZendehdelLibby SallnowAli Ghanbari MotlaghMamak TahmasebiAzin NahvijouBackground: End-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer can impose a significant financial burden. However, data on the economic impact of end-of-life care in low- and middle-income countries are limited. Objective: This study aims to compare the costs associated with palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCU settings for cancer patients in Iran. Design: We designed a retrospective study at the largest hospital in the country. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of hospitalization costs and care service delivery for 150 patients in the final 5 days of life, who were admitted to the largest hospital complex in Iran. All costs were adjusted based on the 2018 USD exchange rate. Results: Among the 150 patients included in the study, 56 (37%) were admitted to the PCU. The average total treatment cost during the final 5 days of life was three times higher in general wards compared to PCUs. In non-PCU settings, the total cost of care during this period amounted to $2873, while in PCU settings, it was $909.63. Conclusion: The establishment of PCUs within tertiary hospitals and the provision of palliative consultation services to patients with advanced cancer can yield significant benefits, even when resources are limited.https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524241299819
spellingShingle Ali Darrudi
Amir Hossein Poupak
Rajabali Darroudi
Nasrin Sargazi
Kazem Zendehdel
Libby Sallnow
Ali Ghanbari Motlagh
Mamak Tahmasebi
Azin Nahvijou
Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries
Palliative Care and Social Practice
title Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries
title_full Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries
title_fullStr Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries
title_full_unstemmed Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries
title_short Financial cost of end-of-life cancer care in palliative care units (PCUs) and non-PCUs in Iran: insights from low- and middle-income countries
title_sort financial cost of end of life cancer care in palliative care units pcus and non pcus in iran insights from low and middle income countries
url https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524241299819
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