Estimating time and out-of-pocket costs incurred by families attending a pediatric cochlear implant programme

Sach, T H, Whynes, D K, Archbold, S M and O'Donoghue, G M (2005) Estimating time and out-of-pocket costs incurred by families attending a pediatric cochlear implant programme. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 69 (7), 929-36. (doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2005.01.037).

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to estimate time and out-of-pocket costs incurred by families attending a pediatric cochlear implant programme. In addition, qualitative data examine the intangible costs faced by families.

METHODS: Data was collected during semi-structured face-to-face interviews with parents of children with a cochlear implant attending a clinic visit at Nottingham Cochlear Implantation Programme (NPCIP), UK. Information supplied included socio-demographic characteristics, mode of travel, out-of-pocket expenses, time foregone, and details of companions. Quantitative data was stored and analysed in SPSS version 11.5.

RESULTS: Two hundred and sixteen face-to-face interviews were conducted with parents of children implanted for between 1 month and 13 years. Time and out-of-pocket costs were significantly higher for those in the first 2 years of the programme, mean UK pound 3090 per annum compared to UK pound 2159 per annum for those in years >2-5 and UK pound 1815 per annum for those in years >5 (P<0.001). The biggest component of this was time costs, although the sensitivity analysis revealed that these were also most variable depending on the methods used to estimate them. The largest out-of-pocket cost incurred by families was travel costs which accounted for 44%, although 16% of families received some financial help with travel costs. The qualitative findings are consistent with these findings, also showing that over time the financial and intangible costs incurred as a result of cochlear implantation decline.

CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to obtain primary data on the time and out-of-pocket costs incurred by families attending a pediatric cochlear implant programme in the UK. It finds that these costs are greatest for those families in the first 2 years of the programme and/or who live furthest from the programme.

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Contributors

Author: T H Sach

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