Cost in Hand Surgery: The Patient Perspective.

PURPOSE

Rising costs at the patient level have been recognized and shown to directly influence patient decisions. By understanding patient interests in discussing cost, hand surgeons may better prepare themselves and their practices to communicate costs with patients.

METHODS

We surveyed 128 patients at an upper extremity surgery clinic at their 2-week postoperative visit. Survey domains included basic patient demographics and an assessment of patient financial distress, along with questions that rated patient interest with patient-physician financial conversations. These factors included patients' desire for a conversation regarding cost, whether or not patients have discussed cost with their surgeon, barriers to these discussions, and overall views concerning cost containment in hand care.

RESULTS

Seven percent of patients discussed the costs of their surgical care with their physician. Eleven percent of patients reported that a doctor should not discuss the costs of their surgical care. Forty-eight percent of patients reported that a doctor should initiate a conversation regarding costs of care when a new treatment is being considered. Fifty-nine percent of patients agreed that physicians should consider the amount of money a patient will have to pay when choosing a new treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients can experience financial hardship as a result of their surgery and some patients are interested in discussing costs with their doctor. Patients indicated that doctors should be concerned with lowering the costs of surgery and should initiate a conversation regarding costs of care when a new treatment is being considered.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Patients are interested in a conversation regarding their cost of hand surgery care. Making cost data more transparent and available to physicians and patients may facilitate communication regarding cost of care.