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The Cost-Effectiveness of Intensive Interdisciplinary Pediatric Chronic Pain Rehabilitation
Jenny R Evans1, Ethan Benore2, Gerard A Banez2
1Cleveland Clinic Children's jennyevansphd@gmail.com.
Insights
This study shows a 3-week pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation program significantly reduces healthcare costs and parental work absence. The program offers substantial financial savings for families, demonstrating value beyond clinical improvements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric healthcare economics
- Rehabilitation program evaluation
- Chronic pain management
Background:
- Chronic pain significantly impacts pediatric patients' quality of life and incurs substantial healthcare costs.
- Interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs offer a promising approach to managing pediatric chronic pain.
- Evaluating the economic impact of such programs is crucial for stakeholders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cost-effectiveness of a 3-week interdisciplinary pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation program.
- To assess the program's impact on healthcare utilization and parental work absence.
- To quantify the financial savings associated with the program.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 127 youth with chronic pain was studied.
- Self-reported healthcare utilization and parental work absence were compared pre- and post-program (1-year follow-up).
- Financial data were derived from program revenue and national cost benchmarks.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions were observed in hospitalization days, physician visits, therapy services, and psychotherapy.
- Estimated annual healthcare expenses decreased by $58,839 per family.
- Estimated annual cost of parental missed work decreased by $11,039 per family.
Conclusions:
- The program resulted in estimated savings of $27,119 per family in the year following admission, after accounting for program costs.
- The interdisciplinary program demonstrates significant economic benefits for families and insurers.
- The findings highlight the value of the program in improving both clinical outcomes and financial well-being.
Objective:
Examine the cost-effectiveness of a 3-week interdisciplinary pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation program.
Methods:
Self-reported health care utilization and parent missed work of youth with chronic pain (n = 127) at admission and 1-year follow-up were compared. Financials were calculated from program revenue and established national costs for health care and wages.
Results:
Data indicate significant reductions in days hospitalized, physician office visits, physical/occupational therapy services, psychotherapy visits, and parental missed work. Estimated health care expenses were $61,988 in the year before admission and $14,189 in the year after admission (-$58,839). Estimated cost of missed work was $12,229 in the year prior and $1,189 in the year after (-$11,039).
Conclusions:
Comparing estimated expenses before ($74,217) and after ($15,378) minus program costs ($31,720), yielded estimated savings of $27,119 per family in the year following admission. These findings extend the benefit of the program beyond clinical improvement, to outcomes important to both families and insurers.
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Assessment: