Navigating daily life with advanced cancer poses formidable challenges. For individuals primarily residing within their homes, the Cancer Home-Life Intervention aims to bolster their daily living activities through occupational therapy. Financial cost and outcome effectiveness are vital considerations in healthcare interventions. This study focuses on evaluating the economic viability of this approach compared to standard care from a societal viewpoint, taking into account the perspectives of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and motor ability in everyday activities.
Study Design and Methodology
Conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial, this economic evaluation engaged participants from two Danish University Hospitals. The population consisted of 242 adults diagnosed with advanced cancer, randomly assigned to receive either the Cancer Home-Life Intervention or standard care. Researchers collected data over a six-month period, examining QALYs and assessing daily living motor abilities. They also evaluated the encompassing costs, including primary healthcare, secondary assistance, and personal expenses.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
When put under scrutiny, the intervention didn’t yield statistically substantial improvements in QALYs or daily living motor skills when compared to usual care. Nonetheless, the cost-utility assessment revealed a 72% likelihood of cost-effectiveness, independent of the willingness-to-pay threshold per QALY. Notably, the probability of the intervention being cost-effective specifically for motor ability spanned from 26% to 58%, as corroborated by sensitivity analyses.
• The intervention’s impact on QALYs and motor abilities was not statistically significant.
• Studying economic viability should go beyond QALYs and include patient-centric outcomes.
• Cost-effectiveness probabilities indicate varying viable thresholds.
Though the Cancer Home-Life Intervention presents notable probabilities in terms of cost-effectiveness, one must perceive the data with caution due to insubstantial statistical improvements in QALYs. For policymakers and stakeholders, considering other aspects such as patient satisfaction and long-term benefits may deliver additional insights into intervention viability. Enhancing the intervention’s structure and methodology could incongruously improve both clinical and economic outcomes. This informative assessment serves as a crucial step in exploring future enhancements to support advanced cancer patients at home continuously.
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