1Department of Administration and Health Policy, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University
2Department of Hospital Management, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University
3Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University
4Faculty of Psychology and Health Science, Sunan Ampel State Islamic University, Surabaya
*Corresponding author: Amran Razak Email: profamranrazak@gmail.com
Online published on 2 February, 2019.
Cancer can cause disasters, economic-social consequences for individuals and household sufferers. This study reveals the phenomena experienced by cancer patients to inform the development of patient-centered policies. This paper provides a qualitative understanding of the economic and social consequences of cancer.
Interviews were conducted on patients who conducted examinations and referrals at Hasanuddin University Teaching Hospital, Makassar (n=30). Data interpretation uses content analysis.
The affordability of medical treatment and care needed to manage disease is identifed as a key aspect of economic diffculties, which endangers the capacity of patients to proactively manage their illnesses and reduce risk. Factors that exacerbate diffculties are mainly not covered by the National Health Insurance scheme (JKN), and other government benefts. Economic burden are not only felt for those who do not have JKN and other government benefts, but also those who receive insuffcient subsidies to meet the costs of managing their long-term illness over and above necessary daily living expenses.
This study provides insight into the economic burden of handling cancer, which shows that economic diffculties require households to make diffcult decisions between medical expenses and basic living expenses.
Economic burden, cancer patient, social consequences
