2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Posters)-P2.27. Does Patient Experience with Robotic Thoracic Surgery Influence Their Willingness to Pay for It?

P2.27. Does Patient Experience with Robotic Thoracic Surgery Influence Their Willingness to Pay for It? - PDF(Abstract)

Pdf Summary

This study conducted at McMaster University in Canada aimed to determine if patients' experiences with robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RTS) influenced their willingness to pay for it. RTS is a costly procedure that is not reimbursed by Canadian healthcare, limiting patient access to it. The researchers hypothesized that patients who underwent RTS on research or philanthropic funds would be willing to pay out-of-pocket for it. <br /><br />The study collected data from patients undergoing RTS from July 2020 to February 2023. Participants were asked to complete a two-part survey before and after the surgery, which included questions about demographics, satisfaction with RTS, and willingness to contribute to the cost of surgery without third-party funding. <br /><br />The survey had a response rate of 98.34% (178 out of 181 patients). Before experiencing RTS, 52.81% of patients stated they would be willing to pay an additional $2,000 to supplement government healthcare coverage for RTS. After the surgery, 83.15% of patients expressed a willingness to pay the additional amount for access to RTS.<br /><br />Regression analysis did not reveal any predictors, including demographic or socioeconomic factors, that were significantly associated with the change in willingness to pay.<br /><br />The study findings indicate that first-hand experience with RTS significantly influenced patients' willingness to pay for the procedure out-of-pocket. The results of this study can contribute to discussions about public funding for robotic surgery in Canada and inform the debate around patient advocacy.<br /><br />Keywords: Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, patient experience, willingness to pay<br /><br />This study falls under the Patient Advocacy track at the WCLC 2023 conference. It is a regular abstract type presentation.

Asset Subtitle

Yogita S. Patel

Meta Tag

Speaker Yogita S. Patel

Topic Patient Advocacy

Keywords

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery

patient experience

willingness to pay

Canadian healthcare

access to surgery

research funds

philanthropic funds

satisfaction with RTS

demographics

socioeconomic factors