Abstract
BackgroundLarge-scale traumatic events may burden any affected public health system with consequential charges. One major post-disaster, expense factor emerges form early psychological interventions and subsequent, posttraumatic mental health care. Due to the constant increase in mental health care costs, also post-disaster public mental health requires best possible, cost-effective care systems. Screening and monitoring the affected population might be one such area to optimize the charges.MethodsThis paper analyzes the potential cost-effectiveness of monitoring a psychologically traumatized population and to motivate individuals at risk to seek early treatment. As basis for our model served Grossman's health production function, which was modified according to fundamental concepts of cost-benefit analyzes, to match the basic conditions of online monitoring strategies. We then introduce some fundamental concepts of cost-benefit analysis.ResultsWhen performing cost-benefit analyses, policy makers have to consider both direct costs (caused by treatment) and indirect costs (due to non-productivity). Considering both costs sources we find that the use of Internet-based psychometric screening instruments may reduce the duration of future treatment, psychological burden and treatment costs.ConclusionThe identification of individuals at risk for PTSD following a disaster may help organizations prevent both the human and the economic costs of this disease. Consequently future research on mental health issues should put more emphasis on the importance of monitoring to detect early PTSD and focus the most effective resources within early treatment and morbidity prevention.
Highlights
Large-scale traumatic events may burden any affected public health system with consequential charges
Less research has been directed toward estimating the costs of disasters and potential economic benefits of interventions
One study found that even modest reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms might lead to an increase in employment, even when symptom levels remain severe [1]
Summary
Large-scale traumatic events may burden any affected public health system with consequential charges. One major post-disaster, expense factor emerges form early psychological interventions and subsequent, posttraumatic mental health care. Large-scale disasters present unique challenges to any public health system. Physical injuries, and psychological suffering and traumatization, may be widespread. Post-disaster psychological research has primarily focused on identifying and alleviating symptoms of acute stress disorder (ASD) and (page number not for citation purposes). Less research has been directed toward estimating the costs of disasters and potential economic benefits of interventions. Indirect evidence suggests that intervention strategies could have a positive influence on the overall costs of a large-scale disaster. Relieving the economic burden of psychological suffering after traumatic stress should, be a major focus in disaster research and policy development
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