Factors associated with medical cost among patients with terminal cancer in hospice units.

This study identified factors associated with higher medical costs for patients with terminal cancer in hospice units in order to develop a daily payment system for hospice services within Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) program. Through chart reviews conducted by staff nurses, medical information and costs were obtained for 274 patients with terminal cancer in 20 hospice units in October 2007. The daily medical cost per patient was calculated based on the fee-for-service scheme.

Willingness to pay for hospice care using the contingent valuation method.

Purpose: It is necessary to develop a proper payment system for more health care facilities to provide hospice and palliative cares. In deciding the proper level of payment for hospice per diem fee, willingness to pay (WTP) may provide one of the critical information. This study was conducted to determine WTP for hospice care and to analyze those factors affecting WTP.

What is the best practical survey method for the comparative assessment of palliative care services: results from a national quality assessment project in Korea.

Context: There is an increasing need for the comparative assessment of palliative care services; however, few systematic empirical studies have been performed to determine the most feasible, representative, efficient survey method.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility, representativeness, and efficiency of several survey methods.

Methods: This study was performed as a part of a national initiative to develop a system to evaluate the quality of palliative care services.