Estimation of travel time and costs required for patients with cancer to receive outpatient treatment using electronic medical record data.

Abstract

270 Background: Cancer creates a tremendous financial burden. Cancer-related costs are categorized into direct, indirect and psychosocial costs. Although there have been many reports on medical care costs, which are direct, those on other costs are extremely scarce. We estimated travel time and costs required for cancer patients to receive outpatient treatment. Methods: We studied 524 cancer patients given anti-cancer treatment between February 2009 and December 2012 at the Outpatient Chemotherapy Center of Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center. Address data were extracted from Data Warehouse electronic medical records, and travel distance and time required for outpatient treatment were calculated via MapInfo and ACT Distance Calculator Package. Transportation costs were estimated on the basis of ¥274 (= $3.00) per kilometer. Results: Average round-trip travel distances, times, and costs by cancer type are shown below. Average round-trip travel distance, time, and cost for all patients were 26.7 km, 72.5 minutes, and ¥7,303 ($79.99), respectively. Conclusions: Cancer patients incurred a travel cost of approximately ¥4,000 to ¥9,000 ($40.00 to $100.00) for each outpatient treatment. With population aging, seniors living alone and senior households are increasing, and outpatient visits are becoming a common burden. [Table: see text]