Cost effectiveness can be important in clinical decision making. In order to allow a true costing measurement, it is important to respect hidden costs from a patient's perspective. The aim of this study was to adapt a questionnaire measuring patient-related costs to an otorhinolaryngological population.
Our prospective study took place at our Department of Otorhinolaryngology during a 4-month period (July – October 2018). During this time, patients hospitalized for an acute tonsillitis or a complication were included. A questionnaire, adapted from Chernyak et al. to fit an otorhinolaryngological population, was applied. A debriefing questionnaire tested for comprehensibility.
Overall, 20 patients were included. They reported a mean 3.2 visits to an otorhinolaryngological outpatient clinic or family doctor for symptoms of acute tonsillitis during the last six months. They were given a sick certificate for an average of 13.6 days. Furthermore, 12 patients reported to have used non-prescription medication during the last six month. This caused direct costs of 56,88 €. The debriefing could show that patients needed an average of 10.5 minutes to complete the questionnaire. 90% did not need any further help and 70% considered the questions as easy to answer.
This study could show that there are indeed relevant patient costs, which need to be included in any cost effectiveness study. Our questionnaire was adapted to an otorhinolaryngological population and can be used as an important tool for further research in that field.
