Discussing expensive anti-cancer drugs

Fallowfield, Lesley and Solis-Trapala, Ivonne and Jones, Alison and Barrett, Jane and Langridge, Carolyn and Jenkins, Valerie (2011) Discussing expensive anti-cancer drugs. British Journal of Healthcare Management, 17 (5). pp. 206-212. ISSN 1358-0574

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Abstract

Funding expensive new cancer therapies is increasingly problematic for healthcare systems worldwide. In this study wthe authors report UK clinicians' views and experiences when discussing expensive anti-cancer drugs with patients. A study-specific survey was emailed to members of relevant professional oncology organisations between April and August 2010: 368 clinicians responded. During the previous 12 months, 71% had made exceptional/individual funding requests; few were successful. Only 9% of clinicians discussed expensive drugs with all patients, 75% with 'some' and 16% with 'none'. Among those who told 'some', 81% (224/276) did so only if convinced of clinical benefit, 72% only if patients initiated the subject, and 55%, if relatives did. Clinicians treating both privately funded and NHS patients (43%) were three times more likely to discuss expensive treatments (p<0.001) than those working only within the NHS. Clinicians' reporting of patients' and relatives' reactions to such discussions was 'understanding' (63%, 45%), 'distress' (40%, 41%) and 'indignation' (24%, 38%). A majority of clinicians (98%) had received no guidance on conducting such discussions and 76% wanted training. This survey clearly demonstrated that few clinicians discuss expensive anti-cancer treatments with their patients and welcome access to a training programme to assist them.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
British Journal of Healthcare Management
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/ra
Subjects:
?? HEALTH POLICYLEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENTR MEDICINE (GENERAL)RA PUBLIC ASPECTS OF MEDICINE ??
ID Code:
40793
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
10 May 2011 10:01
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Sep 2023 00:42