Article

The objective of this study was to examine the intervention costs of a residential community reintegration programme for patients with acquired brain
injury and to compare the societal costs before and after treatment. METHODS: A
cost-analysis was performed identifying costs of healthcare, informal care, and
productivity losses. The costs in the year before the Brain Integration Programme
(BIP) were compared with the costs in the year after the BIP using the following
cost categories: care consumption, caregiver support, productivity losses. Dutch
guidelines were used for cost valuation. RESULTS: Thirty-three cases participated
(72% response). Mean age was 29.8 years, 59% traumatic brain injury. The BIP
costs were euro68,400. The informal care and productivity losses reduced
significantly after BIP (p < 0.05), while healthcare consumption increased
significantly (p < 0.05). The societal costs per patient were euro48,449. After
BIP these costs were euro39,773; a significant reduction (p < 0.05). Assuming a
stable situation the break-even point is after 8 years. CONCLUSION: The reduction
in societal costs after the BIP advocates the allocation of resources and, from
an economic perspective, favours reimbursement of the BIP costs by healthcare
insurance companies. However, this cost-analysis is limited as it does not relate
costs to clinical effectiveness. :

Langue : ANGLAIS