Abstract
Background: Although parents do not pay for health care for children in the UK, there may be indirect costs of attending appointments.
Aims: Considering the link between poverty and health outcomes in childhood, the aim of this small research project was to contribute to the limited evidence base regarding the financial burden upon patients who use healthcare services in the UK.
Methods: A validated questionnaire, which included the themes of 'loss of income', 'childcare' and 'transport', was completed by parents of children attending a variety of respiratory clinics.
Results: 36 families completed the questionnaire, evaluating both qualitative and quantitative data. The mean cost of attending a clinic appointment was £35.36 (42.55 euros). The biggest cost was on 'income lost', with a mean loss within this group of £50 (60.14 euros). 8% of families had missed a clinic appointment in the past due to financial concerns.
Conclusion: This research has contributed to the evidence base as well as helped to open discussions locally regarding financial barriers to accessing healthcare. Attending respiratory appointments is expensive for parents in the UK. Given substantial rates of poverty, efforts should be taken to minimise these costs, and develop ways of reviewing children without pysical attendance at hospital.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 589.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020
