What price my health? The personal cost of developing psychosis
Poster C21, Saturday, October 22, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Caragh Behan1, Brendan Kennelly2, Sarah Masterson1, Eric Roche1, Laoise Renwick3, Catherine McDonough4, Paul McCrone5, Mary Clarke1,6; 1DETECT EIS / St John of God Hospital, Ireland, 2School of Economics, NUIG, Galway,, 3School of Nursing, University of Manchester, UK, 4Cavan Monaghan Community Mental Health Services, Ireland, 5King's Health Economics, King's College London, UK, 6School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
Psychosis is a rare but costly condition. The cost of psychosis to the health service and society has been examined in detail, however little is known about the personal cost of psychosis. Countries with well-developed social health systems have care free at the point of access, however other countries have insurance systems which require a co-payment or payment of an excess. Many people have no insurance and may have large out-of-pocket expenditure. This study examines out-of-pocket and personal costs in a cohort of rural and urban people (n=206) with a first episode psychosis. Information was collected by interview on the costs accrued during the first year of care after presentation. Costs examined include medical costs, travel costs, childcare for those attending care who required it and the opportunity cost of lost employment and leisure time due to the illness. Preliminary results show that people with no access to free medical care incur large costs to enter care. Once they enter the health system, the cost of medical care decreases and the personal costs to the individuals or their family members increase in terms of time, travel and opportunity cost. The cost of medication in those with no free care is substantial. The personal costs of psychosis can be high and may preclude many from obtaining optimal care. This has implications for adherence with medication and treatment regimes. Potential barriers to treatment are identified which have implications for policymakers and service planners designing complex interventions.
Topic Area: Service System Development and Reform