Open AccessA Touchy Subject: Can Physicians Improve Value by Discussing Costs and Clinical Benefits With Patients?
Author(s) -
Wollins Dana S.,
Zafar S. Yousuf
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2016-0207
Subject(s) - medicine , health care , value (mathematics) , cost sharing , subject (documents) , cost–benefit analysis , actuarial science , intensive care medicine , family medicine , nursing , economic growth , business , ecology , machine learning , library science , computer science , economics , biology
A dramatic rise in the costs of health care—and cancer care in particular—has occurred over the last decade. Increasingly, these costs are being passed on to patients in the form of cost sharing, which can have a catastrophic effect on the financial well‐being of patients and their families. This article advises physicians on the importance of patient‐provider interaction about costs as a means to improving value in cancer care.