Development of the Oncology Opportunity Cost Assessment Tool

Thomas Jefferson University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasm; Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Treatments: Behavioral: Focus Group; Other: Research or Clinical Assessment Tool; Other: Interview

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04694911

JT 14788 (Other Identifier)

19G.854

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study develops and tests an instrument to measure opportunity costs called the Oncology Opportunity Cost Assessment Tool (OOCAT) in cancer patients. Patients experience significant costs, both direct financial as well as indirect costs, associated with seeking cancer treatment. While the direct financial impact of care on patients is receiving increased attention, other important consequences, such as opportunity cost, remain largely unmeasured. Opportunity cost is an economics term that refers to the loss of potential benefits from other options when one option is chosen - if resources are used for one purpose, they are no longer available for the next best option. The information and knowledge gained from this study may help researchers develop the OOCAT, which may allow them to understand the opportunity cost of treatment for each patient. The OOCAT may then be used to determine not just the best medications for patients, but also the best comprehensive treatment plan that will allow them to get the right treatment in the right place at the right time.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Treated for cancer at one of the 3 participating sites (Jefferson Center City, Jefferson Methodist Hospital, Jefferson Abington)
• English speaking
• Able to attend and participate in a focus group

Exclusion criteria

• Treated at a Jefferson site other than the ones mentioned
• Non-English Speaking

Trial design

40 participants in 1 patient group

Health Services Research (focus group, interview, OOCAT)

Description:

FOCUS GROUP: Patients participate in focus group session over 60-90 minutes. COGNITIVE INTERVIEW: Patients complete cognitive interview on the clarity, interpretability, and ease of use of the OOCAT. FEASIBILITY TESTING: Patients receive OOCAT at the point of care, online, or via telephone, per patients' preference.

Treatment:

Other: Interview

Other: Research or Clinical Assessment Tool

Behavioral: Focus Group