Moving from a ‘One Size Fits All’ to Personalized Follow-Up in Breast Cancer Survivors—Connecting Patient-Reported Outcomes with Economic Considerations
Abstract: In the Netherlands, two studies were performed to investigate the effectiveness of several alternative follow-up strategies in terms of patient-reported outcomes (health-related quality of life and satisfaction), and to address economic considerations in breast cancer follow-up care. This chapter describes the economic evaluation of four follow-up strategies after breast cancer treatment. As such, it provides an example of the application of economic methods to evaluate the relative value of breast cancer care. Whereas economic evaluation is outcome-focused, the process of care delivery is also a major determinant of patient value. Insight into patients’ preferences for outcome and process is crucial in order to tailor care to individual patients’ needs. Therefore, in a second study, patients’ preferences for the process of care delivery were evaluated.