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Costs of radiotherapy
1SBU, Stockholm, Sweden. norlund@sbu.se
Acta Oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)
|November 5, 2003
Summary
Swedish radiotherapy capacity and costs were assessed in 2000. External radiation therapy costs rose 16% above inflation, but efficiency increased 37% due to more fractions and accelerators.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Economics
- Radiotherapy Technology Assessment
Background:
- A 2001 systematic assessment by The Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU) evaluated radiotherapy infrastructure and costs in Sweden.
- The study aimed to understand the capacity, financial investment, and efficiency of cancer radiotherapy services.
Framework:
- A national postal questionnaire survey was distributed to all 16 radiotherapy centers in Sweden.
- Data collected focused on infrastructure (e.g., number and age of accelerators) and financial data for the year 2000.
Implementation:
- In 2000, 57 accelerators were operational, with 24 installed over 10 years prior.
- Total external radiation therapy costs were SEK 427 million (5% of oncology care costs); brachytherapy costs were SEK 43 million.
- External radiotherapy costs increased 16% above inflation since 1991, while treatment fractions rose 37%.
Implications:
- Increased efficiency in external radiotherapy per fraction was observed during the 1990s.
- Strong correlations between salary costs and fraction output, and between accelerator numbers and fraction volume, suggest manpower adaptation and economies of scale.
- Findings highlight the relationship between resource allocation, technological capacity, and treatment volume in radiotherapy services.