Table 2.
Cost estimation approach and inputs for studies estimating the cost of multiple steps in the breast cancer care pathway
| Costing characteristics | Reviewed studies (n = 33) a |
|---|---|
| Costing approach | |
| Micro | 22 (67) |
| Gross | 5 (15) |
| Micro + gross | 6 (18) |
| Sources for costs and resource use | |
| Patients (e.g., interviews, questionnaires) | 14 (42) |
| Medical records | 13 (39) |
| Hospital finance/administrative data | 16 (48) |
| Government data | 16 (48) |
| Insurance data | 4 (12) |
| Literature | 8 (24) |
| Expert opinion | 10 (30) |
| Cost categories included | |
| Direct medical | 33 (100) |
| Direct nonmedical | 9 (27) |
| Indirect | 7 (21) |
| Inputs into direct medical costs b | 33 (100) |
| Medical visits | 25 (76) |
| Diagnostic studies/pathology | 23 (70) |
| Tumor‐directed medications | 30 (91) |
| Supportive medications | 13 (39) |
| Surgery | 27 (82) |
| Radiotherapy | 22 (67) |
| Hospitalization | 26 (79) |
| Imaging | 14 (42) |
| Laboratory tests and blood services (electrolytes, urinalysis, complete blood count) | 22 (67) |
| Palliative care | 10 (30) |
| Training | 4 (12) |
| Administrative/overhead costs | 9 (27) |
| Unspecified medical costs | 4 (12) |
| Inputs into direct nonmedical costs b , c | 9 (100) |
| Food | 7 (78) |
| Travel/Transportation | 9 (100) |
| Accommodation | 5 (56) |
| Food, transportation, or accommodation for companion | 2 (22) |
| Other (e.g., child tutoring, home help) | 1 (11) |
| Inputs into indirect costs b , c | 7 (100) |
| Lost wages from cancer care | 7 (100) |
| Lost wages from disability/premature mortality | 6 (86) |
| Lost wages of companion | 5 (71) |
Data are presented as n (%).
a
Data from the 33 studies that estimate the cost of multiple steps in the breast cancer care pathway.
b
Categories are not mutually exclusive, and percentages may sum up to more than 100%.
c
Inputs into direct medical costs, n = 33; inputs into direct nonmedical costs, n = 9; inputs into indirect costs, n = 7.