Public Healthcare Sector Research Articles

Prognosis impact and clinical findings in renal cancer patients: comparative analysis between public and private health coverage in a cross-sectional and multicenter context.

Research on disparities in prognosis and clinical characteristics between public and private healthcare sectors in developing countries remains limited. The study aimed to determine whether patients with public health coverage (1) have a greater mean tumor size at diagnosis compared to those with private health coverage; (2) exhibit differences in clinical staging and TNM classification between groups; and (3) show variations in demographic, clinical characteristics, histopathological findings, and surgical approaches among cohorts. A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted on 629 patients from both private and public healthcare sectors, all histologically confirmed and surgically treated for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), between 2011 and 2021 in high-volume hospitals in Monterrey, Mexico. To compare variables between groups, we employed independent samples t-tests, Mann Whitney U nonparametric test, along with Pearson's chi-square test complemented by post hoc analyses. Mean tumor size in the public group was 1.9cm greater than in the private group (7.39 vs. 5.51cm, p < 0.001). Patients in the public sector more frequently presented with larger tumors, a higher prevalence of risk factors (excluding BMI and hypertension), advanced disease (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.43-3.16, p < 0.001), presence of symptoms, elevated TNM, lymphovascular invasion and a lower prevalence of minimally invasive surgery. A male-to-female ratio of 2.6:1 was noted in the private coverage group. This study highlights a notable association between public health coverage and a higher prevalence of advanced RCC, with tumors in private coverage patients being smaller yet larger than commonly reported. There is a crucial need to develop new health policies for early detection of renal cancer in developing countries.

Burden of disease and cost of illness of overweight and obesity in Portugal.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in the last decades, posing significant health and economic impacts globally. These conditions are related to several non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and cancer. This study estimated the disease burden and healthcare costs associated with overweight and obesity in the adult population in mainland Portugal, in 2018. Burden of disease was measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALY) following Global Burden of Disease (GBD) methodology. DALY were calculated as the sum of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD). The analyses included morbidity, mortality and related costs directly related to overweight and obesity, as well as the attributable morbidity, mortality and related costs of of 25 selected diseases related to obesity (DrO). A prevalence-based cost analysis was conducted a from the perspective of the public National Health Service, including costs related to inpatient, outpatient care and pharmacological treatment. In 2018, total DALY amounted to 260,943, with 75% due to premature death (196,438 YLL) and 25% due to disability (64,505 YLD). The economic burden of overweight and obesity was estimated at approximately € 1,148 million. Of these, approximately € 13.3 million (1%) were costs related to the treatment of obesity, and the remaining were costs of DrO attributed to overweight and obesity. Outpatient care corresponded to 43% of total costs, pharmacological treatment 38%, and inpatient care 19%. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were the largest contributor to total costs (38%), followed by type II diabetes (34%). Overweight and obesity incur a large disease and economic burden to the public healthcare sector, representing approximately 0.6% of the country´s gross domestic product and 5.8% of public health expenditures.

The COVID-19 pandemic and blood utilisation in South Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic, first reported in December 2019, affected every sector of every country worldwide. Health services were the first to experience the direct impact. Blood services were advised to decrease blood utilisation in anticipation of reduced blood collections. The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) saw a substantial decline in blood demand following the institution of strict national lockdown measures, but the impact of the epidemic and various mitigation strategies remained unknown. This retrospective study reviews red blood cell (RBC) utilisation during a 4-year period from 2019 to 2022 in the South African (SA) population, stratified by public and private healthcare sectors. To measure the impact of COVID-19, blood utilisation pre COVID-19 was compared with an acute COVID-19 period and a post-acute period. Each period covered 450 days. Blood utilisation was evaluated against the background of reported COVID-19 cases and national lockdown regulations. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, overall RBC utilisation dropped by ~17%. The initial decline was more pronounced in the public sector. Overall, utilisation recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels in the post-acute COVID-19 period, but at different rates in the public and private sectors. There was a significant change in RBC utilisation during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, much more pronounced in the public sector, which services 85% of the SA population. During the post-acute COVID-19 period, blood utilisation recovered, but at a much slower rate in the public sector. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the differences in blood utilisation patterns between the public and private healthcare sectors in SA, and each sector's resilience in adapting to the challenges of the epidemic.

Exploring the Impact of Managerial Coaching, Emotional Intelligence and Social Support on Employee Retention: The Mediating Role of Employee Resilience in Malaysian Public Healthcare

This paper explores the correlation between managerial coaching, emotional intelligence, social support, employee resilience, and retention among healthcare workers in Malaysia's public healthcare sector. Retaining healthcare staff has become a severe difficulty in the BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) environment, worsened by the COVID-19 epidemic. The study suggests that managerial coaching, emotional intelligence, and social support are essential for developing resilience among healthcare workers. This resilience, in turn, impacts their ability to stay in their jobs. The study will employ a quantitative cross-sectional survey approach to examine the links inside specific public hospitals in Malaysia. The results are anticipated to offer a vital understanding of how public healthcare in Malaysia can strategically improve staff resilience and retention, guaranteeing the long-term viability of the healthcare workforce in a world after the pandemic. This study enhances our comprehension of the intricate processes that impact staff retention in the public healthcare industry, providing practical implications for policymakers and healthcare managers.

Multicenter study on Clostridioides difficile infections in Mexico: exploring the landscape.

This study aims to outline Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) trends and outcomes in Mexican healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observational study of case series. Sixteen public hospitals and private academic healthcare institutions across eight states in Mexico from January 2016 to December 2022. CDI patients. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of CDI patients were obtained from clinical records. Cases were classified as community or healthcare-associated infections, with incidence rates calculated as cases per 10,000 patient days. Risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. We identified 2,356 CDI cases: 2,118 (90%) were healthcare-associated, and 232 (10%) were community-associated. Common comorbidities included hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Previous high use of proton-pump inhibitors, steroids, and antibiotics was observed. Recurrent infection occurred in 112 (5%) patients, and 30-day mortality in 371 (16%). Risk factors associated with death were a high Charlson score, prior use of steroids, concomitant use of antibiotics, leukopenia, leukocytosis, elevated serum creatine, hypoalbuminemia, septic shock or abdominal sepsis, and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection. The healthcare-associated CDI incidence remained stable at 4.78 cases per 10,000 patient days during the pre-and pandemic periods. However, the incidence was higher in public hospitals. Our study underscores the need for routine epidemiology surveillance and standardized CDI classification protocols in Mexican institutions. Though CDI rates in our country align with those in some European countries, disparities between public and private healthcare sectors emphasize the importance of targeted interventions.

The changing landscape of antimicrobial resistance and use in South Africa: The need for access to new antibiotics: A position paper.

Antibiotic resistance is a global threat, with a disproportionate burden of mortality in low- and middle-income countries. It is increasing in both the public and private healthcare sectors within South Africa, especially in Gram-negative organisms, and is associated with increased use of World Health Organization watch and reserve antibiotics. There is a need for improved access to new antibiotics to treat infections caused by drug-resistant organisms in order to limit side-effects and improve patient outcomes of currently available antibiotics. We propose the responsible introduction of these new antibiotics with both administrative and clinical oversight in order to preserve the longevity of these precious antibiotics.

Integrated health and social care for pregnant women and young families in a vulnerable situation in the Netherlands: Professionals’ views on cross-sectoral collaboration

PurposeThis qualitative study investigated the perspective of professionals from the medical, social, and public health care sectors with regard to: cross-sectoral collaboration in providing integrated health and social care during the first thousand days of life (preconception up to children aged two years) for pregnant women and young families in a vulnerable situation. This knowledge is needed for the enhancement of cross-sectoral collaboration and the implementation of integrated care. MethodsProfessionals (n = 35) were recruited from three deprived municipalities in South-Limburg, the Netherlands. Semi-structured interviews gained insight into professionals’ views, by using a theoretical framework based on the ‘National model for integrated care for childhood overweight and obesity’. ResultsProfessionals stressed the importance of addressing both medical and social risk factors in pregnant women and young families in a vulnerable situation. However, their interpretation of vulnerability differed, hindering collaborative working. Furthermore, cross-sectoral collaboration was restricted by lack of formal cooperation agreements between sectors, and unclear referral lines from the medical to the social sector. Professionals often did not know the expertise and role of other sectors. Digital information and referral systems are not connected between the sectors which acts as an inhibiting factor. Discussion/ConclusionThis study highlights the need and ways to facilitate collaborative working between the medical, social, and public health care sectors in delivering integrated care. Recommendations include: 1) Enforcing implementation strategies aimed at facilitating collaborative working: formal regulations, structured agreements, and use of consistent definitions and protocols to facilitate integration. 2) Strengthen informal connections between professionals by the Solid Start local coalitions. 3) Align all professionals, also those not directly involved in the Solid Start local coalition, with the goals and vision of the coalition. 4) Implement a joint digital file or IT referral system to improve cross-sectoral collaboration. 5) Enhance collaboration between sectors at case level through multidisciplinary consultation.

Medicine needs of children not addressed in the National Cancer Strategic Framework: insights from a triangulation study

Aim A better understanding of the scope of the National Cancer Strategic Framework (NCSF) could lead to improvements aiding the framework’s ultimate objective of reducing the burden of cancer. Accordingly, this report evaluates whether the 2017-2022 NCSF adequately addressed issues related to childhood cancer treatment, in particular paediatric oncology medicines. Methods To identify determinants of current access to childhood oncology medicines in South Africa, in-depth interviews were conducted with 29 stakeholders in South Africa’s public and private healthcare sectors. Key health system stakeholders included policy makers and regulators, medical insurance scheme informants, medicine suppliers, healthcare providers and civil society stakeholders. Identified barriers were categorised according to the components of the pharmaceutical value chain, and combined with a health systems approach to acknowledge the linkages of medicines with other building blocks of the health system. Identified barriers were then compared to the limitations and interventions as discussed in the 2017-2022 NCSF to identify areas for improvement in the framework. Findings Three recurrent gaps in the NCSF in relation to childhood cancers were identified, representing a range of issues throughout the pharmaceutical value chain: 1) childhood cancers are neglected compared to adult cancers, in both the policy arena and the organisation of healthcare services; 2) there are particular challenges for childhood cancers due to their rarity, thus requiring targeted interventions (e.g., regulatory incentives, tailored pricing solutions, and customised evidence requirements by decision-making bodies); and 3) children must be accompanied by a caregiver during treatment, causing several social and financial issues for their families. Conclusions There is a pressing need for a strategic cancer plan that makes proper provisions for children. Such an endeavour must commence with acknowledging the areas in which childhood cancers are different from adult cancers, and which demand targeted intervention in an update of the NCSF.

Driving Organizational Innovation in Public Healthcare: The Strategic Impact of Inclusive Leadership

In the public sector, it is essential to prioritize innovation and adaptation to efficiently tackle intricate and ever-changing difficulties. The objective of this study is to analyze how inclusive leadership affects the innovative work behavior of employees in the public healthcare sector and to determine the function of public service motivation and leader-member exchange theory in regulating this relationship. To evaluate the study’s hypotheses, data was collected from a field study of 300 public healthcare workers. The data was gathered via structured surveys and analyzed using Hayes' technique with the help of Mplus. The testing was combined with bootstrapping to analyze mediation and moderation relationships in the study. The results show a strong and positive connection between inclusive leadership and employees’ innovative work behavior in the public healthcare sector. Furthermore, the variables of autonomy and competence played a mediating role in the connection between inclusive leadership and individual work behavior. The study also includes a rigorous investigation of its results, as well as an analysis of their implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research endeavors.

Managerial practices for app-based primary care telemedicine service acceptance in South Africa

Purpose: This study addresses the qualitative research phase of a mixed methods study conducted to investigate patient acceptance of an app-based telemedicine service for primary care aimed at South African public health care sector patients.Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative data were collected by means of semi-structured individual interviews with patients who had exposure to an existing app-based primary care telemedicine service in South Africa named Kena Health. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data using ATLAS.ti software was conducted to identify the relevant antecedents of telemedicine service acceptance in the study’s context.Findings/results: Eight antecedents of app-based primary care telemedicine service acceptance among South African patients (who are predominantly reliant on public health care sector services to receive medical care) were identified, namely, perceived compatibility, perceived ease of use, relative advantage, price value, trust, innovativeness, privacy perception and care perception.Practical implications: To date, prior literature has not yet identified the specific antecedents that would apply to the acceptance of an app-based telemedicine service for primary care among South African individuals who are predominantly reliant on the country’s public health care system to receive medical care.Originality/value: Our study contributes to the literature by identifying which existing factors of technology acceptance apply to primary care telemedicine service acceptance, predominantly in the South African public health care sector context. Furthermore, additional antecedents of telemedicine service acceptance that have not been included in technology acceptance theory until present, that is, (positive) privacy perception and care perception are identified.

Role of Telemedicine and Telehealth in Public Healthcare Sector: A Narrative Review.

Clinicians, researchers in health services, and other experts have been investigating how to improve healthcare using advanced computer and telecommunication technology for more than 30 years. Adequate medical facilities are still lacking in many places of the world. In these kinds of situations, technology can be quite helpful in expanding healthcare access to rural locations and offering better care at a lower cost. The delivery of healthcare is changing dramatically because of telemedicine and telehealth, particularly in terms of improving access to care. This paper aims to provide an update on the history, background, applications, benefits, barriers, and challenges of these recent technologies. This review article also covers the healthcare conditions of rural as well as urban communities. Furthermore, the implications of technologies used and improvement in the health status of an individual are also discussed. During the COVID-19 epidemic, telehealth quickly gained popularity, bringing to light a number of issues. Effective primary medical networks are crucial, as the COVID-19 pandemichighlighted the need for improving public health responses during crises and revealed the existing fragmentation in healthcare delivery systems.

The Prospects and Challenges of Internet of Things (IoT)-based Public Healthcare System in Bangladesh

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to discern the prospects and challenges of integrating Internet of Things (IoT) into the public healthcare sector of Bangladesh. This is timely because the present public healthcare status of the country needs dire improvement. Hence, this study explores the future scope of IoT-based public healthcare systems to be introduced to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of Bangladesh henceforth recommends how the country can integrate the implementation of this technology to deliver better public healthcare services to its population. Methodology: The authors reviewed extensively literature from several reputed sources to identify the current public healthcare conditions, as well as the benefits and impediments of IoT-based public healthcare system in Bangladesh. Based on the searches pertaining to the data base, this study then outlines appropriate future scopes of IoT in the public healthcare of Bangladesh. Findings: This research identified major impediments such as lack of infrastructure, low motivation, awareness and acceptance as well as poor healthcare startups prevalent in the public health services of Bangladesh. To surmount the inefficiencies of the current services, the authors deliberated how IoT based public healthcare system could foster better monitoring; management and rehabilitation thereby improve the overall Bangladesh’s public healthcare system. Practical Implications: IoT healthcare organizations can also use technology to improve patient outcomes and increase efficiencies, which will lower the cost of treatment, reduce death rates and make it possible to give public healthcare to people who live in rural areas. Originality/Value: The researchers of this study are confident that the findings of this study will benefit other researchers, policymakers, healthcare service providers/designers and professionals to realize the potentials of IoT-based public healthcare system that could overcome the challenges faced and finally could deliver sound public healthcare facilities and services for Bangladeshis in the near future. Limitations: In the future, we plan to develop the Central Repository of patient database system using blockchain technology.

A Capacity Audit of Medical Geneticists and Genetic Counsellors in South Africa, 2024: A National Crisis.

Community genetic services were introduced in South Africa almost seven decades ago, with medical geneticists and genetic counsellors being formally recognized for the past 30 years. Initial training platforms were established at academic centres countrywide, and posts for relevant healthcare professionals, including medical geneticists and genetic counsellors were created in the public sector. Despite these early advances, the number of these specialists required to address the rising burden of congenital disorders in the country remains far below required targets established by the National Department of Health. The aim of this study was to analyse the retrospective, current and projected number of medical geneticists and genetic counsellors in South Africa. The results indicate the number of practicing medical geneticists (n = 13) and genetic counsellors (n = 28) are currently at 10% and 5% of capacity targets, respectively. There is unequal distribution of these specialists between the public and private healthcare sectors, and geographical maldistribution. An alarming trend of emigration is particularly prevalent among newly qualified genetic counsellors. With the proportion of congenital disorders expected to continue to rise in coming years, together with the increasing proportion of ageing South Africans, it is imperative that health workforce planning addresses the ever-widening gap between the supply, demand and unmet need for these crucial specialists in South Africa.

Psychologists aspiring to leadership positions in public sector health care.

Psychologists are well-positioned to take on leadership roles in health care systems as a result of the broad-based skills included in doctoral level, professional training programs. These include knowledge of evidence-based practice, extensive training in applied research and clinical practice, emphasis on critical thinking in scientific methods and hypothesis testing, teaching, supervision, team consultation, and continuous learning (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006; Korman, 1974; McFall, 2007). Formal opportunities to learn how to apply these skills in leadership and organizational management roles are, however, limited during graduate training. There have been recent efforts within the American Psychological Association to foster interest and readiness for leadership roles among psychologists. These efforts have included a leadership development fellowship, on-demand webinars, and online learning for continuing education (American Psychological Association, 2023). The content of these training opportunities is typically general in nature so that it can be applied to all types of organizational settings. Psychologists interested in leadership positions within public sector health care organizations are likely to benefit from information that aligns more specifically with the mission and organizational structures of such systems. This article presents a conceptual framework to prepare psychologists aspiring to leadership positions in public sector health care. Leadership theories and models from organizational management science are outlined which capture the context and organizational goals of such programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Implementation of the ARIMA model for prediction of economic variables: evidence from the health sector in Brazil

In recent decades, quantitative models for forecasting economic crises have garnered significant interest from researchers, policymakers, and public and private institutions. Identifying the most appropriate models for predicting economic time series behaviors during crises is a pressing challenge. Effective techniques can be instrumental in forestalling financial irregularities, thus empowering institutions to deploy remedial actions and swiftly minimizing further economic setbacks. Contemporary literature introduces various forecasting models, such as the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. Recognized for its statistical alignment with numerous linear models, the ARIMA model has demonstrated its efficacy across various domains. This paper delves into applying the ARIMA model to predict five critical economic time series that substantially influenced Brazil’s public and private healthcare sectors throughout the economic crisis between 2000 and 2020. These time series encompassed the variables (i) the gross domestic product—GDP, (ii) the Extended National Consumer Price Index—IPCA, (iii) the unemployment rate, (iv) the total number of health plan beneficiaries, and (v) total number of individual health plan beneficiaries. Importantly, this study provides a comprehensive outline of the ARIMA implementation process, underscoring that precise forecasting is pivotal for managers aiming to curtail financial anomalies and avert resource shortages. The findings highlight the ARIMA model’s (1, 0, 2), (2, 2, 1), (0, 1, 2), (1, 1, 2), and (2, 2, 1) viability in accurately forecasting health-related time series, exceeding 95% accuracy for economic variables analyzed. These results have significant practical implications for healthcare managers and decision-makers. By offering accurate forecasts of critical economic metrics, such as the unemployment rate and the transition of beneficiaries between public and private health systems during economic downturns, this research provides valuable insights for strategic planning within the healthcare sector.

Therapeutic drug monitoring for valproate: deriving a novel formula for calculation of free concentration

BackgroundMonitoring free valproate concentrations, as with other highly protein-bound anticonvulsants, is essential in clinical situations where protein binding may be disrupted. Conversion of measured total concentrations to approximate free concentrations offers a cost-effective alternative. This study evaluated the relationship between total and free valproate concentrations for discordance and the impact of key determinants. A novel formula was devised that incorporates significant variables.MethodsA multicentre, cross-sectional observational analytical study included 101 subjects 18 years and older using valproate for 6 months or longer. Participants were recruited from private and public sector healthcare settings from primary to tertiary level in, South Africa, during 2017–2019.ResultsFree valproate concentrations could be measured for 84 subjects. Discordance for concomitant total and free valproate concentrations was 79.1%. Among 19 participants with elevated free concentrations, 15 (78.9%) had total valproate concentrations within the recommended reference range. Calculations based on the study-derived formula were more accurate in predicting free valproate concentration than previously proposed methods.ConclusionThis study proposes that the novel formula for calculating free valproate enables more accurate prediction.

Assessment of selected elements of healthcare in the opinion of healthcare workers

The healthcare system is an important part of the functioning of any country. A special role in this system is played by the personnel — especially medical, but also non-medical personnel, who perform their tasks based on the available resources. The article considers the opinions of healthcare workers about selected elements of this system proposed by Zgliczyński. The opinions of employees regarding the current healthcare system compared to the one in 2019 are also included, highlighting the nature of these changes. Bearing in mind the relatively limited literature in the field of the considerations undertaken in this article, they can be regarded as important, up-to-date, and filling the research gap in this respect. The aim of the study was achieved using a critical analysis of the literature on the subject and a diagnostic survey. Empirical data were obtained from fieldwork conducted among staff of public and/or private sector healthcare facilities.

Understanding information security awareness: evidence from the public healthcare sector

Understanding information security awareness: evidence from the public healthcare sector

Exploring the road to public healthcare accessibility: a qualitative study to understand healthcare utilization among hard-to-reach groups in Kerala, India

BackgroundKerala, a southern state in India, is known to be atypical due to its high literacy rate and advanced social development indicators. Facing competition from a dominant private healthcare system, recent government health system reforms have focused on providing free, high-quality universal healthcare in the public sector. We carried out an analysis to ascertain the initial impacts of these measures among ‘hard to reach groups’ as part of a larger health policy and systems research study, with a focus on public sector health service utilisation.MethodsWe conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among identified vulnerable groups across four districts of Kerala between March and August of 2022. The FGDs explored community perspectives on the use of public healthcare facilities including enablers and barriers to healthcare access. Transliterated English transcripts were coded using ATLAS.ti software and thematically analyzed using the AAAQ framework, supplemented with inductive code generation.ResultsA total of 34 FGDs were conducted. Availability and cost-effectiveness were major reasons for choosing public healthcare, with the availability of public insurance in inpatient facilities influencing this preference. However, accessibility of public sector facilities posed challenges due to long journeys and queues. Uneven roads and the non-availability of public transport further restricted access. Gaps in acceptability were also observed: participants noted the need for the availability of special treatments available, reduced waiting times for special groups like those from tribal communities or the elderly mindful of their relatively greater travel and need for prompt care. Although quality improvements resulting from health reform measures were acknowledged, participants articulated the need for further enhancements in the availability and accessibility of services so as to make public healthcare systems truly acceptable.ConclusionThe ‘Kerala Model of Development’ has been applauded internationally for its success in recent years. However, this has not inured the state from the typical barriers to public sector health care use articulated by participants in the study, which match global evidence. In order to deepen the impact of public sector reforms, the state must try to meet service user expectations– especially among those left behind. This requires attention to quality, timeliness, outreach and physical access. Longer term impacts of these reforms – as we move to a post-COVID scenario - should also be evaluated.

Estimation of the Clinical, Economic, and Social Burden of Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Mexico.

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of death among cancer patients worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the clinical, economic, and social burdens of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in private and public healthcare centers in Mexico, utilizing real-world evidence. The study population included patients >18 years of age diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC who received cancer treatment at the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI (IMSS), the Centro Médico Nacional "20 de Noviembre" (ISSSTE), the Mexican Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), and the Medical Center ABC (American British Cowdray) from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. The analysis included evaluation of epidemiological data, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes, and emphasized pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, including detailed follow-up investigations, as part of comprehensive clinical management. Additionally, the study assessed the social burden through variables such as working-age absenteeism and presenteeism and caregiver productivity loss, as well as economic burden, considering both clinical and social components, with costs adjusted to 2022 Mexican pesos (MXN) values. A total of 188 patients with metastatic NSCLC were studied. The main type of NSCLC tumor found in the sample was adenocarcinoma (81%). Treatment regimens included pharmacological treatments (78%), non-pharmacological treatments (25%), and palliative care (24%). Complications were present in 73% of the cohort, while 60% presented adverse events. Clinical management costs of up to MXN1,001,579 per patient in the public sector and MXN2,140,604 in the private sector were reported. It was estimated that working-age patients lose 84-335 days yearly due to absenteeism and presenteeism, while caregivers report a productivity loss equivalent to 13-30 days due to the management of NSCLC patients. These indirect costs of NSCLC contribute to the social burden. A working-age patient with stage IV disease is associated with an average indirect cost of MXN49,731-178,287 in public institutions, while in private institutions, the cost elevates to MXN438,103. This study highlights the substantial clinical, economic, and social burdens of stage IV NSCLC in Mexico, revealing significant disparities between public and private healthcare sectors. It underscores the urgent need for standardized practices and equitable care across all systems.