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Trenaman L, Kaal KJ, Laba TL, Safari A, Aguiar M, Burch T, Beckett J, Munro S, Hudson M, Harrison M. The financial burden of accessing care for people with scleroderma in Canada: a patient-oriented, cross-sectional survey. CMAJ Open 2023; 11:E630-E636. [PMID: 37437955 PMCID: PMC10356003 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20220227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with scleroderma require a lifetime of treatment and frequent contacts with rheumatologists and other health care professionals. Although publicly funded health care systems in Canada cover many costs, patients may still face a substantial financial burden in accessing care. The purpose of this study was to quantify out-of-pocket costs borne by people with scleroderma in Canada and compare this burden for those living in large communities and smaller communities. METHODS We analyzed responses to a Web-based survey of people living in Canada with scleroderma. Respondents reported annual out-of-pocket medical, travel and accommodation and other nonmedical costs (2019 Canadian dollars). We used descriptive statistics to describe travel distance and out-of-pocket costs. We used a 2-part model to estimate the impact on out-of-pocket costs of living in a large urban centre (≥ 100 000 population), compared with smaller urban centres or rural areas (< 100 000 population). We generated combined mean estimates from the 2-part models using predictive margins. RESULTS The survey included 120 people in Canada with scleroderma. The mean, annual, total out-of-pocket costs were $3357 (standard deviation $5580). Respondents living in smaller urban centres and rural areas reported higher mean total costs ($4148, 95% confidence interval [CI] $3618-$4680) and travel or accommodation costs ($1084, 95% CI $804-$1364) than those in larger urban centres (total costs $2678, 95% CI $2252-$3104; travel or accommodation costs $332, 95% CI $207-$458). INTERPRETATION Many patients with scleroderma incur considerable out-of-pocket costs, and this burden is exacerbated for those living in smaller urban centres and rural areas. Health care systems and providers should consider ways to alleviate this burden and support equitable access to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Trenaman
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - K Julia Kaal
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Tracey-Lea Laba
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Abdollah Safari
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Magda Aguiar
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Tiasha Burch
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Jennifer Beckett
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Sarah Munro
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Marie Hudson
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
| | - Mark Harrison
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (Trenaman, Munro, Harrison), Vancouver, BC; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology (Kaal), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS; Clinical and Health Sciences Unit (Laba), The University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (Laba), University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; College of Science (Safari), School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (Aguiar, Harrison), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Scleroderma Association of British Columbia (Burch), North Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Burch), Vancouver, BC; Patient partner (Beckett), Kamloops, BC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Munro), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Division of Rheumatology (Hudson), Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute; Department of Medicine (Hudson), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Arthritis Research Canada (Hudson, Harrison), Vancouver, BC
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Aguiar M, Laba TL, Munro S, Burch T, Beckett J, Kaal KJ, Bansback N, Hudson M, Harrison M. Co-production of randomized clinical trials with patients: a case study in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant for patients with scleroderma. Trials 2021; 22:611. [PMID: 34503552 PMCID: PMC8428135 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05575-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasingly, it is argued that clinical trials struggle to recruit participants because they do not respond to key questions or study treatments that patients will be willing or able to use. This study explores how elicitation of patient-preferences can help designers of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) understand the impact of changing modifiable aspects of treatments or trial design on recruitment. METHODS Focus groups and a discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey were used to elicit preferences of people with scleroderma for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) treatment interventions. Preferences for seven attributes of treatment (effectiveness, immediate and long-term risk, care team composition and experience, cost, travel distance) were estimated using a mixed-logit model and used to predict participation in RCTs. RESULTS Two hundred seventy-eight people with scleroderma answered the survey. All AHSCT treatment attributes significantly influenced preferences. Treatment effectiveness and risk of late complications contributed the most to participants' choices, but modifiable factors of distance to treatment center and cost also affected preferences. Predicted recruitment rates calibrated with participation in a recent trial (33%) and suggest offering a treatment closer to home, at lower patient cost, and with holistic, multidisciplinary care could increase participation to 51%. CONCLUSIONS Through a patient engaged approach to preference elicitation for different features of AHSCT treatment options, we were able to predict what drives the decisions of people with scleroderma to participate in RCTs. Knowledge regarding concerns and the trade-offs people are willing to make can inform clinical study design, improving recruitment rates and potential uptake of the treatment of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Aguiar
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 4625-2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tracey-Lea Laba
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Munro
- Centre for Healthcare Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tiasha Burch
- Scleroderma Association of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Patient Partner, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - K Julia Kaal
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 4625-2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nick Bansback
- Centre for Healthcare Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Arthritis Research Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada
| | - Marie Hudson
- Arthritis Research Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada
- Division of Rheumatology, Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute, and Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark Harrison
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 4625-2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
- Centre for Healthcare Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Arthritis Research Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada.
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Aguiar M, Harrison M, Munro S, Burch T, Kaal KJ, Hudson M, Bansback N, Laba TL. Designing Discrete Choice Experiments Using a Patient-Oriented Approach. Patient 2020; 14:389-397. [PMID: 32676996 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-020-00431-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Patient-oriented research is a process whereby patients or caregivers are included as research partners so that research focusses on topics that are priorities and lead to findings that translate into practice. Using a case study of preferences for stem cell transplant in scleroderma, we report on a patient-oriented research approach to developing a discrete choice experiment. Our patient-oriented research application followed the four guiding principles in Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research: inclusiveness, support, mutual respect and co-build. In this case study, patient partners were involved at different levels of engagement to match individual availability, skillset and roles in the team. They advised, to different degrees, on all aspects of the study from design to analyses. Using a patient-oriented research approach led to the inclusion of attributes that would likely have been excluded (e.g. support from a multidisciplinary team), and realistic framing of patient-relevant and sometimes sensitive attributes (e.g. mortality and cost). Meeting locations and times were adjusted to accommodate all-team circumstances. Institutional constraints on the reimbursement for patient partners influenced the timing and extent of involvement. We found that adopting a patient-oriented research approach to discrete choice experiment design injected unique knowledge and expertise into the team, improved the representativeness of the sample recruited, minimised researcher biases, and ensured appropriate attribute selection and descriptions. The patient-oriented research approach highlighted some constraints of discrete choice experiment designs and, while not a solution, might ensure the methodological trade-offs remain patient relevant. Institutional challenges must be addressed to progress patient-oriented health economics research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Aguiar
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 4625-2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
| | - Mark Harrison
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 4625-2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Centre for Healthcare Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Arthritis Research Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah Munro
- Centre for Healthcare Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tiasha Burch
- Scleroderma Association of British Columbia, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - K Julia Kaal
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, 4625-2405 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marie Hudson
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nick Bansback
- Centre for Healthcare Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Arthritis Research Canada, Richmond, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tracey-Lea Laba
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Bekyarova E, Davis M, Burch T, Itkis ME, Zhao B, Sunshine S, Haddon RC. Chemically Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Ammonia Sensors. J Phys Chem B 2004. [DOI: 10.1021/jp0471857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Bekyarova
- Carbon Solutions Inc., Riverside, CA; Smiths Detection, Pasadena, California, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403
| | - M. Davis
- Carbon Solutions Inc., Riverside, CA; Smiths Detection, Pasadena, California, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403
| | - T. Burch
- Carbon Solutions Inc., Riverside, CA; Smiths Detection, Pasadena, California, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403
| | - M. E. Itkis
- Carbon Solutions Inc., Riverside, CA; Smiths Detection, Pasadena, California, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403
| | - B. Zhao
- Carbon Solutions Inc., Riverside, CA; Smiths Detection, Pasadena, California, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403
| | - S. Sunshine
- Carbon Solutions Inc., Riverside, CA; Smiths Detection, Pasadena, California, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403
| | - R. C. Haddon
- Carbon Solutions Inc., Riverside, CA; Smiths Detection, Pasadena, California, and Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403
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