Understanding Patient Perspectives on Communication About the Cost of Cancer Care: A Review of the Literature

PURPOSE: Patient-physician communication about cost when making treatment decisions has been promoted as a potential solution to the rising cost of oncologic care and suggested as an important component of high-quality oncologic care. However, little is known regarding the perspectives of patients with cancer on such discussions with their physicians. METHODS: A literature review was performed in July 2009, with search terms including but not limited to patient-physician communication, cost of cancer care, and cost communication. RESULTS: The cost of cancer care is high and seems to affect decisions that many patients make about the treatment they receive. Yet there is scant oncology literature on patient-physician cost communication, with the only formal study examining oncologist perspectives. Extrapolation from the general medicine literature may not be appropriate for this unique population of patients, and there are some data to suggest that patients with cancer may prefer not to discuss finances with their oncologists. Practical guidelines and tools for discussions of cost with patients with cancer are also limited. CONCLUSION: To my knowledge, patient preferences surrounding discussion of cost of cancer care have gone largely unstudied and are thus unknown. If the goal is to provide high-quality care while controlling rising health care costs, more research is needed to better understand patient perspectives on communication surrounding the cost of oncologic care, particularly given the significant impact such discussions may have on cancer outcomes, cost, and overall patient satisfaction.