A Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Family Systems Intervention for Managing Pediatric Chronic Illness

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• 作者：Brian J. Distelberg ; Natacha D. Emerson ; Paul Gavaza ; Daniel Tapanes ; Whitney N. Brown ; Huma Shah ; Jacqueline Williams-Reade and Susanne Montgomery
• 刊名：Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：July 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：42
• 期：3
• 页码：371-382
• 全文大小：161K
• ISSN：1752-0606

文摘

Despite recent increases of psychosocial programs for pediatric chronic illness, few studies have explored their economic benefits. This study investigated the costs–benefits of a family systems-based, psychosocial intervention for pediatric chronic illness (MEND: Mastering Each New Direction). A quasi-prospective study compared the 12-month pre–post direct and indirect costs of 20 families. The total cost for program was estimated to $5,320. Families incurred $15,249 less in direct and $15,627 less in indirect costs after MEND. On average, medical expenses reduced by 86% in direct and indirect costs, for a cost–benefit ratio of 0.17. Therefore, for every dollar spent on the program, families and their third payers saved approximately $5.74. Implications for healthcare policy and reimbursements are discussed.