Cost-effectiveness and palliative care.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the issues and methods in measuring the cost-effectiveness of palliative care for incurable cancer.

DATA SOURCES

Review articles, book chapters, and research studies pertaining to cost-effectiveness and palliative care.

CONCLUSIONS

All health care interventions, whether palliative or active therapy, are delivered at a price. Assessing the cost-effectiveness of interventions does not mean that less is better; it means that whatever is spent maximizes the utility of resource allocation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses influence both the cost and the effectiveness of palliative care. Cost of nursing services is often factored into the numerator of the cost-effective equation. Effectiveness of nursing care should be factored into the denominator and can be measured in multiple ways, including the impact on patients' quality of life. Nurses can play an active role in assessing and advocating for the cost-effectiveness of palliative interventions.