A study conducted by Peter Mac researchers supports the investment in supportive care services for lung cancer patients. The addition of supportive care resulted in better health outcomes, fewer hospital visits, greater adherence to medication and even a reduction in anxiety surrounding treatment.

Research led by Professor Meinir Krishnasamy, Director Academic Nursing Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has shown for the first time that supportive care service investments provide a substantial benefit to patients and community.

Professor Krishnasamy said the study examined the impact of supportive care services for people affected by lung cancer.

“This new research finding demonstrates that investment in supportive care services has significant return on investment for people affected by lung cancer and for the health system,” said Professor Krishnasamy.

“Our study used a social return on investment methodology and demonstrated that for every dollar invested in supportive care, there is a nine-dollar social return when savings to the healthcare system and benefits to the patients are combined.

“These savings can be better health outcomes, fewer hospital visits, adherence to medication and even a reduction in anxiety surrounding treatment.

“At five-years, these same investments resulted in greater cumulative value, with an eleven-dollar social return on investment.”

Lung cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and is the leading cause of cancer death. Improvements in treatment and care have increased survival however patient and care giver needs are not being met and this is driving the economic impact of lung cancer.

During the study, patients described a range of unmet supportive care needs that spanned informational, emotional, functional, physical, social and spiritual issues.

When addressed through interventions such as patient-centred informational provision, screening for anxiety and depression, screening for financial stress, isolation or cultural needs, patients reported benefits to their health outcomes and quality of life.

“Our study provides strong evidence for policy makers, clinicians and consumers to advocate for further investment in cancer supportive care to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people affected by cancer,” said Professor Krishnasamy.

“Access to and availability of supportive care services within acute health services is variable and unequal, hopefully we can use this research to support a change.”

Social Return on Investment is an expanded form of cost-benefit analysis that seeks to capture the social, economic, and environmental impacts of interventions, as well as acknowledge potential negative effects of services. 

Collaborating in this research were Ms Amelia Hyatt, Associate Professor Karla Gough & Ms Holly Chung at Peter Mac, and Dr Ruth Aston at the University of Melbourne.

The research was published in BMC Health Services Research journal and is available for download.