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Analysis of Palliative Care Utilization and Medical Expenses among Patients with Chronic Diseases in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study

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  • Hui-Mei Lin

    (Taipei City Hospital, RenAi Branch Nursing Supervisor, Taipei 106, Taiwan
    Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yen-Chun Huang

    (Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
    Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chieh-Wen Ho

    (Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
    Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei City 116, Taiwan)

  • Mingchih Chen

    (Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
    Artificial Intelligence Development Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan)

Abstract

Palliative care (PC) is an important alternative treatment for patients with chronic diseases, particularly for those in the later stages of disease progression. This is because these diseases are often irreversible, with progressive worsening of symptoms. By encouraging the use of tranquility resources for good death and spiritual relief, PC can reduce the physical and psychological burden on patients at the end of their lives. Currently, most discussions on PC have focused on patients with cancers, and few have further discussed the differences in medical expenses between PC and emergency treatment in patients with chronic diseases at the end of their lives. This study analyzed the top three chronic diseases in patients who used PC resources in the past decade and identified the impact of emergency treatment on mean survival time and medical expenses based on the medical records from the National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 4061 patients with chronic diseases who were admitted to hospice wards were included in this study; of them, 85 patients still received emergency treatment, including urinary catheterization, nasogastric intubation, and respirator use, at the end of their lives. The mean survival time of patients aged 50–64 years who received emergency treatment was longer than that of the same age group who did not receive emergency treatment. Different comparisons of the mean survival time and medical expenses using real-world data provides important insights regarding PC management that may assist in establishing health policies in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui-Mei Lin & Yen-Chun Huang & Chieh-Wen Ho & Mingchih Chen, 2022. "Analysis of Palliative Care Utilization and Medical Expenses among Patients with Chronic Diseases in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12646-:d:932629
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li-Ting Kao & Kuo-Chen Cheng & Chin-Ming Chen & Shian-Chin Ko & Ping-Jen Chen & Kuang-Ming Liao & Chung-Han Ho, 2020. "Burden of Healthcare Utilization among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients with and without Cancer Receiving Palliative Care: A Population-Based Study in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Hui-Mei Lin & Chih-Kuang Liu & Yen-Chun Huang & Ming-Chih Chen, 2022. "Exploratory Study of Palliative Care Utilization and Medical Expense for Inpatients at the End-of-Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Ya-Ting Huang & Ying-Wei Wang & Chou-Wen Chi & Wen-Yu Hu & Rung Lin Jr & Chih-Chung Shiao & Woung-Ru Tang, 2020. "Differences in medical costs for end-of-life patients receiving traditional care and those receiving hospice care: A retrospective study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, February.
    4. Hui-Mei Lin & Chih-Kuang Liu & Yen-Chun Huang & Chieh-Wen Ho & Mingchih Chen, 2021. "Investigating Key Factors Related to the Decision of a Do-Not-Resuscitate Consent," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-9, December.
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