Article Abstract

Article Abstract

Online ISSN: 1099-176X Print ISSN: 1091-4358
The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics
Volume 20, Issue 1, 2017. Pages: 3-10
Published Online: 1 March 2017

Willingness to Pay in Caregivers of Patients Affected by Schizophrenia

Claudiane Salles Daltio,¹* Cecília Attux,¹ Marcos Bosi Ferraz²

¹Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil,
²Ph.D., Center for Health Economics, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo. SP, Brazil

* Correspondence to: Claudiane Salles Daltio, Ph.D., Machado Bittencourt, 222 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil, 04044-000.
Tel: 55-11-5573 3599
E-mail: csdaltio@yahoo.com

Source of Funding: None declared.

Abstract

Willingness to Pay (WTP) technique allows a valuation of the health state preferences by assessing the impact of the disease and translating it into monetary terms. The objective of this study was to determine the WTP of schizophrenic patients’ caregivers on a hypothetical recovery scenario and correlate it to socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. 189 outpatients’ caregivers were selected. WTP questionnaire, KAST (Knowledge of Disease), SF-6D (Quality of life) and ZBI-22 (Burden of Disease) scales were applied. A monthly WTP mean value of U$ 63.63 was reported. Income, education, social class, knowledge of disease and burden of caregiver were positively correlated to the WTP value. By linear regression model, income and education remained statistically significant. The higher the income and education, the higher the willingness to pay. WTP is a potentially useful tool to assess health care preferences and can be used for the development of mental health policies.

Background: Schizophrenia is a debilitating disorder that often requires the affected individual to receive care from a caregiver. Willingness to Pay (WTP) technique allows a valuation of the health state preferences by assessing the impact of the disease and translating it into monetary terms.

Aims of the Study: The objective was to determine the WTP of schizophrenic patients' caregivers on a hypothetical recovery scenario and correlate it to socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, Knowledge of Disease, Quality of life and Burden of Disease.

Methods: A convenience sample consecutively assessed 189 outpatients' caregivers from Schizophrenia Program of Federal University of São Paulo. A single caregiver was considered for each patient, taking into consideration their close relationship and their direct involvement in the treatment. Open WTP questionnaire for a hypothetical schizophrenia recovery scenario, KAST (Knowledge of Disease), SF-6D (Quality of life) and ZBI-22 (Burden of Disease) scales were applied.

Results: A monthly WTP mean value (SD) of US\$ 63.63 (111.88) was found. The average value (SD) found was 12.96 (2.45) on KAST, 0.78 (0.08) on SF6D and 29.91 (16.10) on ZARIT. Income, education, social class, knowledge of disease and burden of caregiver were positively correlated to the WTP value. By linear regression model, income and education remained significant.

Conclusion: Willingness to Pay (WTP) is a method that can be used to determine the strength of preference of patients and caregivers for a recovery in schizophrenia. The higher the income and education, the higher the willingness to pay. No clinical characteristics of patients had a statistically significant relation to the value the caregiver would pay.

Implications for Health Policies: WTP is a potentially useful tool to determine values and health care preferences, and can be used for the development of mental health policies.

Implications for Further Research: Future research should be used to enhance WTP tool in mental health studies on the impact of diseases, including schizophrenia.

Received 24 February 2016; accepted 20 February 2017