Cost awareness of radiological studies amongst doctors at Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein
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Date
2020-07
Authors
Mrwetyana, Khanyisa Nothemba
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Background: South Africa has high healthcare expenses, implementing cost-consciousness would translate to a reduction in costs which will reduce government spending on healthcare. Objectives:
To determine cost awareness of radiological studies amongst doctors. To assess whether there are differences in cost estimation accuracy according to the level of training and speciality amongst doctors working at Universitas Hospital. To determine whether the participants have undergone any prior education or training related to cost awareness of radiological studies and if there is a desire to learn about the cost of radiological imaging. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey by means of an anonymous questionnaire. The study was conducted in six clinical departments at Universitas Academic Hospital. The questionnaire was aimed at determining cost awareness of five radiological studies amongst doctors. Doctors were given six different cost ranges to choose from for each imaging study with only one correct option. The costs were based on South Africans National Department of Health’s 2019 Uniform Patients Fee Schedule (UPFS). Questionnaires were distributed in person by principal investigator. Results: 195 questionnaires were distributed and 131 (67.2%) returned. There was an overall low cost estimation accuracy, with 45.2% of the participants getting none of the costs correctly. None of the participants estimated all five costs correctly. There was no significant difference in cost estimation accuracy according to the level of training or speciality. The majority of participants (88.6%) would like to learn about the cost of imaging. Only 2.3% of the participants have received prior education or training related to cost awareness of radiological studies. Conclusion: Doctors were consistently inaccurate in estimating the cost of the radiological studies. As doctors are largely responsible for health care expenditure, the result of this research suggest that educating doctors about the cost of radiological imaging can have a positive effect on healthcare expenditure.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Med (Diagnostic Radiology))--University of the Free State, 2020, Cost, Awareness, Radiological studies, South Africa, Uniform patients, Fee schedule