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Crowdfunding in urology: Canadian perspective
Alessia Di Carlo1, Michael Leveridge2, Thomas B McGregor2
1School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Insights
Patients increasingly use crowdfunding for urological conditions in Canada. Prostate cancer and kidney disease campaigns are common, with higher funding for malignant versus benign conditions.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Medical Economics
- Digital Health
Background:
- Crowdfunding is a growing financial resource for medical care costs.
- Patients utilize these platforms for direct treatment, lost income, and travel expenses.
- Limited data exists on crowdfunding for urological diseases in Canada.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence of crowdfunding for urological diseases in Canada.
- To identify factors associated with its use.
- To provide a preliminary analysis of this patient financial support trend.
Main Methods:
- A query of the GoFundMe internal search engine was conducted in January 2020.
- Fundraising campaigns related to urological ailments were identified.
- Campaigns were categorized based on major urological disease areas.
Main Results:
- Crowdfunding is prevalent across various urological conditions.
- Prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease campaigns are most frequent.
- Malignant diseases garnered significantly higher fundraising goals and amounts than benign diseases.
- A notable portion of campaigns covered non-conventional treatments and transplant tourism.
Conclusions:
- Crowdfunding is an emerging tool for patients facing urological conditions in Canada.
- This trend underscores the significant, often hidden, financial burdens patients experience.
- Urologists should be aware of this phenomenon to better support patient needs.
Introduction:
Crowdfunding is becoming an increasingly used resource for patients to cover costs related to medical care. These costs can be related directly to treatments or indirectly to loss of income or travel-related costs. Little is known as to the extent of which crowdfunding is used for urological disease here in Canada. This study offers a first look at the prevalence of crowdfunding for urological disease and the factors surrounding its use.
Methods:
In January 2020, we queried the GoFundMe internal search engine for fundraising campaigns regarding urological ailments. Results were categorized according to the major organs of urological disease.
Results:
Crowdfunding campaigns are very prevalent within several areas of urology. Prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease represent the most frequent reason for campaigns. Fundraising goals and actual funds raised for malignant disease were significantly more than for benign disease. Interestingly, there was a significant portion of crowdfunding campaigns to cover costs for non-conventional treatments and transplant tourism.
Conclusion:
Crowdfunding use to help cover direct and indirect costs of medical care is becoming increasingly apparent through several facets of medicine. This study shows that this statement holds true when looking at patients with urological disease in Canada. As urologists, we need to be aware of this trend, as it highlights the often-unforeseen financial burdens experienced by our patients.
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