scholarly journals Cancer in Patients Referred Abroad For Health Care and Related Foreign Currency Expenses

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-169
Author(s):  
Ruben Niyonsaba ◽  
Astère Manirakiza ◽  
Laurent Irakoze
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Foreign Currency ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
General Management ◽  
The Social ◽  
Medical Reports ◽  
The Cost

Background: There is limited access to health services in Burundi, as most of the services such as cancer care are unavailable. Burundian citizen who can afford the costs involved in seeking treatment elsewhere are referred abroad. The purpose of this study was to assess the proportion of patients suffering from cancer among patients referred abroad for healthcare and to evaluate the costs incurred by those patients in relation to what the country would save by establishing cancer healthcare facilities. Methodology: The study was performed retrospectively from January 2016 to December 2018. With approval of Ministry of Public Health and AIDS control, the data was collected from medical reports at the general management of health facilities and AIDS control office. All patients with medical reports containing the reason for referral were included in the study. Medical reports assessing occupational disability were excluded. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Male, female and unclear was 45.3%, 39.9% and 14.8% respectively. Average age was 31,82. The main reason for referral was MRI (21.7%). Cancer patients represented 18% of all patients referred abroad for healthcare and the most common type of cancer found was breast (26.5%), genitourinary (15.7%) and digestive (14,2%). If all patients from 2016-2018 were referred to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, India or Europe for 30 years, the country would spend in foreign currency US$3,858,229; US$638,342.80; US$21,288,592; US$10,410,192.90; US$54,718,329.70 respectively. Also, if all patients estimated by Globocan in 2018 were to be referred to these countries, the cost of foreign currencies would be US$52,455,122.60; US$38,264,740.88; US$129,272,590.40; US$81,330,325.94; US$276,601,008.02 respectively. Conclusion: There is a good number of cancer patients among patients referred abroad for health care. The estimated costs incurred by patients referred abroad for cancer care are far greater than funds needed to setup modern cancer care centres in Burundi.

scholarly journals Sexual Health as Part of Gynecologic Cancer Care: What Do Patients Want?

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1737-1742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey M. Hay ◽  
Heidi S. Donovan ◽  
Erin G. Hartnett ◽  
Jeanne Carter ◽  
Mary C. Roberge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Relationship Status ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Sexual Health Care

ObjectiveSexual health is important to quality of life; however, the sexual health of gynecologic cancer patients is infrequently and inadequately addressed. We sought to understand patient experiences and preferences for sexual health care to help inform strategies for improvement.Methods/MaterialsAn anonymous, cross-sectional survey of outpatient gynecologic cancer patients at a large academic medical center was performed as part of a larger study examining patient and caregiver needs. The survey explored patient-provider discussions about sexuality across 3 domains (experiences, preferences, barriers) and 4 phases of cancer care (diagnosis, treatment, treatment completion, follow-up). Age, relationship status, sexual activity, and cancer type were recorded.ResultsMean age was 63 years. Most patients had ovarian cancer (38%) or endometrial cancer (32%). Thirty-seven percent received treatment within the last month, 55% were in a relationship, and 35% were sexuality active. Thirty-four percent reported sexuality as somewhat or very important, whereas 27% felt that it was somewhat or very important to discuss. Importance of sexuality was associated with age, relationship status, and sexual activity but not cancer type. Fifty-seven percent reported never discussing sexuality. Age was associated with sexuality discussions, whereas relationship status, sexual activity, and cancer type were not. The most common barrier to discussion was patient discomfort. Follow-up was identified as the best time for discussion. Sexuality was most often discussed with a physician or advanced practice provider and usually brought up by the provider.ConclusionsDemographic predictors of importance of sexuality to the patient are age, relationship status, and sexual activity. Providers primarily use age as a proxy for importance of sexuality; however, relationship status and sexual activity may represent additional ways to screen for patients interested in discussing sexual health. Patient discomfort with discussing sexuality is the primary barrier to sexual health discussions, and awareness of this is key to developing effective approaches to providing sexual health care.

Provider-patient communication about cost of care: Results from a national patient education program.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9578-9578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivy A. Ahmed ◽  
Allison Harvey ◽  
Marni Amsellem ◽  
Thomas J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Health Care Team ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Support Organizations ◽  
National Patient ◽  
The Cost

9578 Background: A 2010 NIH study indicates direct cancer care expenditures will reach $158 billion in the U.S. by 2020, impacting millions of Americans. The cost of insurance for a family of 4 has increased from $6000 (2000) to over $16,000 (2011). Medical debt is a significant cause of personal bankruptcy, even if insured. The financial realities posed by costs associated with cancer care greatly complicate a cancer diagnosis. The most recent American College of Physicians Ethics Manual recommends all parties must interact honestly, openly, and fairly. (Snyder L, et al. Ann Int Med 2012, p86) This analysis explores the occurrence and value of patient-provider communication surrounding costs associated with care in a national survey of those affected by cancer. Methods: From 2011-12, 505 individuals attending Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Coping with the Cost of Care workshops completed a survey assessing experiences about the costs of cancer care. This is a Cancer Support Community national evidence-based educational program. All attendees (n=708) were eligible to complete survey. Results: Most attendees (71.3%) responded. The majority (62.4%) were people with cancer/survivors; the remainder included spouses/partners, family members, and 8.7% were health care professionals. Most (80.8%) were Caucasian, and averaged 57.2 years. Of those with cancer, 89.9% were insured at diagnosis. 59.4% reported no one on their health care team initiated a discussion about the financial aspects of their care. Included in this figure, 22.7% actively sought information from health care team, and 36.7% received no information about cost. When topic was initiated, it was by social workers (16.2%), physicians (12.3%), nurses (6.3%) or financial specialists (8.2%). When information was provided, 72.1% found it somewhat or very useful. Also, regardless of provider discussion, respondents independently sought resources for managing costs, such as other patients (44.2%), the Internet (41.5%), and patient support organizations (38.1%). Conclusions: Patients want financial information but do not receive it. These data highlight the need and value of providers initiating a dialogue about the cost of cancer care with patients.

Pharmacy cost in cancer.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18358-e18358
Author(s):  
Surbhi Shah ◽  
Nathan Rubin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Drug Cost ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Pharmacy Cost ◽  
Health Care Spending ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Active Cancer

e18358 Background: Health care spending in US is highest in the developed world and contributes to up to 1/5 of the GDP. The price escalation is steep and contribution from cancer care is soaring. The cost of medications is deemed to be the leading cause of increased health care spending. In this era of precision medicine, with more effective and better tolerated drugs, patients are using them for longer periods of time, adding to the ever mounting health care spending. Methods: We used a large claims based data set US database MarketScan to explore the economic burden of drug cost in cancer care. Between January 1, 2013 and September 30, 2015 we identified 195,290 enrollees with active cancer. We analyzed the economic burden of medications for overall cancer care by exploring the total cost of care and the pharmacy expenditure by various classes of drugs for these patients. The perspective was that of the health care system as the costs included payments by the insurer and the patient. Results: There were 195,290 active cancer patients in this analysis. Mean age was 61 years, 55% were females. Breast cancer was the most common diagnosis. Mean total cost of care and total drug cost per patient over the study period was $141,415 and $13,579, respectively. The total pharmacy expenditure across all study patients was ~2.5B. Antineoplastic drugs make up the largest portion of the total pharmacy expenditure at 39%. Cost contribution based on drug categories were anti-infective (6%), cardiovascular (6%), central nervous system (including opiates, anti-nausea medications and antidepressants) (7%), blood formulations (including anticoagulants) (8%), hormones (8%) and gastrointestinal drugs (4%) respectively. Conclusions: Based on the real world information from a large insurance claims database, this study quantifies the contribution of various drug classes to the cost of cancer care. Antineoplastic contribute to > 1/3rd of the total pharmacy spending. With increasing trend for immunotherapy and combination therapy drug costs are bound to go up even more steeply. Unless drug prices are regulated, we are looking towards an unsustainable level of growth in the health care spending in cancer care.

American Society of Clinical Oncology Guidance Statement: The Cost of Cancer Care

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (23) ◽  
pp. 3868-3874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal J. Meropol ◽  
Deborah Schrag ◽  
Thomas J. Smith ◽  
Therese M. Mulvey ◽  
Robert M. Langdon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Oncology ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
High Quality ◽  
American Society ◽  
The Cost

Advances in early detection, prevention, and treatment have resulted in consistently falling cancer death rates in the United States. In parallel with these advances have come significant increases in the cost of cancer care. It is well established that the cost of health care (including cancer care) in the United States is growing more rapidly than the overall economy. In part, this is a result of the prices and rapid uptake of new agents and other technologies, including advances in imaging and therapeutic radiology. Conventional understanding suggests that high prices may reflect the costs and risks associated with the development, production, and marketing of new drugs and technologies, many of which are valued highly by physicians, patients, and payers. The increasing cost of cancer care impacts many stakeholders who play a role in a complex health care system. Our patients are the most vulnerable because they often experience uneven insurance coverage, leading to financial strain or even ruin. Other key groups include pharmaceutical manufacturers that pass along research, development, and marketing costs to the consumer; providers of cancer care who dispense increasingly expensive drugs and technologies; and the insurance industry, which ultimately passes costs to consumers. Increasingly, the economic burden of health care in general, and high-quality cancer care in particular, will be less and less affordable for an increasing number of Americans unless steps are taken to curb current trends. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is committed to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and eliminating disparities in cancer care through support of evidence-based and cost-effective practices. To address this goal, ASCO established a Cost of Care Task Force, which has developed this Guidance Statement on the Cost of Cancer Care. This Guidance Statement provides a concise overview of the economic issues facing stakeholders in the cancer community. It also recommends that the following steps be taken to address immediate needs: recognition that patient-physician discussions regarding the cost of care are an important component of high-quality care; the design of educational and support tools for oncology providers to promote effective communication about costs with patients; and the development of resources to help educate patients about the high cost of cancer care to help guide their decision making regarding treatment options. Looking to the future, this Guidance Statement also recommends that ASCO develop policy positions to address the underlying factors contributing to the increased cost of cancer care. Doing so will require a clear understanding of the factors that drive these costs, as well as potential modifications to the current cancer care system to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality, cost-effective care.

scholarly journals Service Providers’ Perceptions of Support Needs for Indigenous Cancer Patients in Saskatchewan: A Needs Assessment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Sedgewick ◽  
Anum Ali ◽  
Andreea Badea ◽  
Tracey Carr ◽  
Gary Groot
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Patient Navigator ◽  
Care Services

Abstract Background: In Saskatchewan, Canada, Indigenous cancer care services at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels are intended to improve quality care but can result in a complex, fragmented, and multi-jurisdictional health care system. A multi-phase needs assessment project was initiated to document Indigenous cancer care needs. Guided by Indigenous patient partners, clinicians, academics, and policy makers, the present study reflects a needs assessment of Indigenous cancer supports from the perspectives of cancer care service providers.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through three group interviews with 20 service providers for cancer patients and their families at three Saskatchewan cities. Participants included chemotherapy and radiation nurses, social workers, a patient navigator, dieticians, and practicum students. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct the sessions to allow for freedom of responses. Data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Service providers’ perspectives were categorized into five themes: 1) addressing travel-related issues, 2) logistical challenges, 3) improvements to Indigenous-specific health care supports, 4) cultural sensitivity in health care, and 5) consistency in care. Supports differed for the two Indigenous groups, First Nations and Métis. Service providers made recommendations regarding how needs could be met. They saw language translation providers and Elder supports as important. Travel recommendations included medical taxis accommodating for more breaks to alleviate the uncomfortable side effects of cancer treatment and Indigenous-specific accommodations be provided. These recommendations aligned with supports that are available in four other Canadian provinces.Conclusions: These results identified gaps in supports and outlined recommendations to address barriers to cancer care from the perspectives of service providers. These recommendations may inform evidence-based health system interventions for Indigenous cancer patients and ultimately aim to improve cancer care services, quality of life, and health outcomes of Indigenous patients throughout their cancer journey.

scholarly journals Racismo institucional: percepção sobre a discriminação racial nos serviços de saúde / Institutional racism: perception about racial discrimination in health services

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (1u) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Grazielle de Oliveira Loduvico ◽  
Maria Marjorie Lima Martins ◽  
Thaís Izabel Ugeda Rocha ◽  
Maria Fernanda Terra ◽  
Pamela Lamarca Pigozi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Institutional Racism ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
The Public ◽  
Black Person ◽  
The Social ◽  
Doctor's Office

Introdução: O racismo institucional se caracteriza por qualquer ação de discriminação racial praticada dentro de instituições, como a omissão de informação ou atendimento, fortalecimento de estereótipos racistas, comportamentos de desconfiança, de desrespeito e desvalorização da pessoa negra. Objetivo: Analisar a prática de racismo institucional no serviço de saúde público e/ou privado a partir da percepção dos usuários negros acerca do atendimento recebido. Material e Método: Estudo de abordagem quantitativa,realizado a partir de questionário fechado, construído via google forms, e veiculado na rede social Facebook. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre setembro e novembro de 2019, sob os critérios: ser negro, idade superior a18 anos e vivência de racismo nos serviços de saúde público e/ou privado. Participaram33 pessoas neste estudo: 28 pessoas se autodeclararam pretas e 5 pardas. Resultados: Dentre os principais achados, estão que 63,6% referiram ter sofrido racismo em serviços públicos de saúde; 51,5% relataram que a discriminação ocorreu no consultório médico, e 21,9% durante a triagemou na sala de medicação. Do total, 93,9% acreditam que a discriminação foi ocasionada por serem negros. Conclusão: Os usuários identificam o racismo durante a assistência em saúde recebida, e que a violência pode distanciá-los dos cuidados, principalmente de promoção e prevenção. Faz-se necessário efetivar a assistência em saúde à luz da Política Nacional de Saúde da População Negra. Palavras chave: Percepção, Discriminação, Iniquidade em saúde, Racismo, Acesso aos serviços de saúde ABSTRACTIntroduction: Institutional racism is characterized by any action of racial discrimination practiced within institutions, such as information or care omission, strengthening of racist stereotypes, behaviors of distrust, disrespect and devaluation of the black person. Objective: To analyze the practice ofinstitutional racism in the public and/or private health service from the perception of black users about the care received. Material and Method: Quantitative approach study, conducted from a closed questionnaire, built via google forms, and carried on the social network Facebook. Data collectionoccurred between September and November 2019, under the criteria: being black, aged over 18 years and experiencing racism in public and/or private health services. Thirty-three people participated in this study: 28 people declared themselves black and 5 brown. Results: Among the main findingsare that 63.6% reported having suffered racism in public health services; 51.5% reported that discrimination occurred in the doctor’s office, and 21.9% during screening or in the medication room. Of the total, 93.9% believe that discrimination was started because they were black. Conclusion:Users identify racism when receiving health care, and that violence can distance them from care, especially promotion and prevention. It is necessary to affect health care in the light of the National Health Policy of the Black Population.Keywords: Perception, Discrimination, Health inequities,Racism, Access to health services

Fear of receiving less effective care: A barrier to effective cancer care cost communication.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18339-e18339
Author(s):  
Sokbom Kang ◽  
Yelee Yu
Keyword(s):  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Financial Status ◽  
Cost Effective Treatment ◽  
The Cost ◽  
To Receive

e18339 Background: Increasing financial burden in cancer care promoted cost communication as an intervention to the problem. We explored patients’ attitudes and concerns for the physician-patient communication of the costs of cancer care. Methods: From an oncology outpatient clinic, patients were recruited and interviewed using a 29-item questionnaire. The questionnaire includes basic and financial characteristics, attitudes toward cost-communication, and experience of cost-communication with oncologists. Results: Among 292 patients with gynecologic cancer, 68% were found to have an income below the nation’s average households income. Although the majority (81%) of patients have a positive attitude toward patient-physician cancer care cost-communication, however, only 19% of them wanted to discuss the cost with their physicians - 33% of them did not want to disclose their financial status to health care providers and 48% wanted to discuss the cost with other providers than their physicians. In addition, while 87% preferred to be informed about costs for various treatment options, 86% of them did not want to receive cost-effective treatment and preferred to receive the most effective treatment regardless of their financial status. Compared with non-cancer patients (n = 83), significantly more patients had a negative attitude to disclosing their financial status especially to their physician (22% vs. 11%, P = 0.024). Conclusions: A considerable proportion of cancer patients had concerns that cost communication with their physician may interfere with their opportunity to access the best care options. To facilitate cost communication, oncologists should understand such concerns and making a thoughtful effort to relieve the concern during cost communication.

Survey to evaluate quality of cancer patient care: A questionnaire based analysis in a tertiary hospital.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18320-e18320
Author(s):  
Haritha Ackula ◽  
Ying Ning ◽  
Vishal Jindal ◽  
Shekhar Patil ◽  
Ahmad Daniyal Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Inpatient Service ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Goals Of Care ◽  
Effective Care

e18320 Background: As the burden of cancer is on the rise, there is a need to understand the logistics in caring for cancer patients. Internists and nurses are integral part of cancer care team, alongside oncologists. Our aim was to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice in order to identify areas of strength and limitation to help devise opportunities to enhance care. Methods: A close ended cross-sectional survey was conducted among internal medicine physicians, residents and nurses. We developed 36 questions broadly based on cancer-care and distributed them randomly. Additionally, subjects were asked to list factors limiting their ability to provide effective care. We semi quantitatively graded the depth of awareness amongst participants. A total of 95 health care providers were included in the final analysis. Results: Only 62% of participants were accurate in knowledge based questions. About 57% believed all cancer patients benefit from less aggressive treatment and considered chemotherapy side-effects to be the most common cause of hospitalization. Total of 94% reported effective care coordination by visiting nurses, primary care providers in outpatient settings decrease readmissions. Seventy percent thought a dedicated inpatient service run by Oncologists would be better for cancer patient care, with 96% preferring co-management. Around 80% felt they were better able to manage decompensated heart failure and fulminant liver disease than oncological emergencies like neutropenic fever. All the attendings (100%) were comfortable discussing new cancer diagnosis compared to 65% residents and 60% nurses. However 58% of them would like the health care proxy to be involved in all goals of care decisions, irrespective of patient’s capacity. Conclusions: Surprisingly, the baseline knowledge about cancer-care is suboptimal and there is a significant gap in expected versus real cancer-care delivery. Most commonly encountered factors hindering patient-care were lack of awareness of cancer illness trajectories and unclear goals of care with inter-provider disparities/gaps in understanding them. Initiatives such as targeted education, shared care plan and engaging patients at every step is crucial.

Patterns and costs of hospital-based cancer care in the last year of life: A national data linkage study in England.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18769-e18769
Author(s):  
Xhyljeta Luta ◽  
Katharina Diernberger ◽  
Joanna Bowden ◽  
Joanne Droney ◽  
Peter S Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Health Care Utilisation ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Hospital Episode Statistics ◽  
Hospital Episode ◽  
Care Utilisation

e18769 Background: Delivery of high quality cancer care is associated with rising costs, both in earlier stages of the illness trajectory and at the end of life. A significant portion of the costs and health care utilisation occurs in the last year of life. Most publications to date have focused on costs in hospital. Little is known about the costs of care for cancer patients across the entire health service. The aim was to examine primary, secondary and acute health care utilisation and cost in the last 12 months of life and how these differ by cancer diagnosis and other patient characteristics among decedent patients aged 60 and over. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of people aged 60 years and over (N=26,077) who died in England between 2010 and 2017. We used routinely collected and linked data from primary care (Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) secondary and acute care, (Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), and death data (Office for National Statistics (ONS)). This provided a nationally representative sample of the English population. We analysed of healthcare utilisation and resource use amongst decedents by gender, primary cause of death, age, geography, socio-economic status and comorbidities. Results: Overall, 90.2 % of the cancer decedents were admitted in the hospital at least once in the last 12 months of life. About 50% of patients we admitted to hospital in the last month of life with 37.6 being admitted to the hospital more than once in the last month of life. The health care utilisation and costs increased sharply in the last month of life. life. The mean number of hospital admissions in the last year of life was 3.7 (SD, 5.8). Those dying of haematological cancers (N=2093) had highest number of hospital admissions (mean:7.2, SD:10.8) and longer average hospital stay (mean:36.7, SD:33.0) (mean:12.0, SD:14.4). Use of outpatient services was highest in the group dying of haematological cancers (mean:12.0, SD:14.4) whereas those dying of prostate cancer (N= 2197) had higher number of emergency (mean:2.0, SD: 1.9) and GP visits (mean:30.8, SD: 20.7). Healthcare costs were highest among haematological cancers and lowest among those dying of breast cancer. Proximity to death and comorbidities were the main contributors of end-of-life care health care utilisation and costs. Conclusions: This study uses large linked datasets (linked to the whole spectrum of hospital episode statistics) providing a comprehensive picture of healthcare services accessed by cancer patients at end of life in England. There is significant variation in use and cost of care for cancer patients in the last year and month of life. Further analysis of variation according to hospice, palliative, and social care service provision may identify strategies to address this variation.

The Social Life of Evidence in Personalized Medicine

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Prainsack
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Personalized Medicine ◽  
Cost Saving ◽  
Social Life ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Human Relationships ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cost Implications ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Deep Sense

Many studies look into the cost implications of digital tools and other new technologies, while only few explore the cost-saving potential of high-touch aspects in medicine. This chapter argues for an understanding of personalized medicine that focuses on the subjective needs and wishes of patients and on the importance of human relationships. It proposes that “social biomarkers” reflecting nonsomatic characteristics of patients that matter to them in connection with their health care should be included in technologies of personalization as a type of evidence in its own right. It discusses how social biomarkers, in conjunction with other initiatives that bring personal meaning to the table, could not only help to make medicine more “personal” in the deep sense of the word but could also help avoid waste and save cost.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document