Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 2 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Financial burden associated with attendance at a public hospital emergency department in Johannesburg
Dublin Core
Title
Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 2 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Financial burden associated with attendance at a public hospital emergency department in Johannesburg
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Financial burden associated with attendance at a public hospital emergency department in Johannesburg
Subject
Out-of-pocket expenses
Catastrophic healthcare expenditure
CHCE
Financial burden
Healthcare costs
Indirect medical costs
Catastrophic healthcare expenditure
CHCE
Financial burden
Healthcare costs
Indirect medical costs
Description
Introduction: More than half of South Africans live below the poverty line. Indirect medical costs can contribute
significantly to the financial burden of patients seeking medical care. The aim of this study was to determine the
expenses incurred by patients and/or their escorts during a visit to the emergency centre (EC).
Methods: Patients and/or their escorts presenting to an EC in Johannesburg were asked to complete the study
questionnaire relating to expenses incurred during a visit to the EC.
Results: Of the total 396 participants that completed the questionnaire, 108 (27.2%) did not have any source
of income, 146 (36.9%) were the sole breadwinner in their household and 36 (9.1%) belonged to zero-income
households. Among those earning ≤R2000 per month, the mean expenses relating to the EC visit was R240 (SD
R372), equating to an average of 33.2% of mean monthly income. Transport costs were the most common expense
(n=302, 76.3%), while general practitioner (GP) fees incurred prior to the EC visit accounted for the bulk of the
expenses (median R450, IQR 350-820). Participants that earned >R2000 per month were significantly more likely
to incur GP fees (p =0.012), while those earning ≤R2000 per month were significantly more likely to take a loan
to cover EC related expenses (p =0.014).
Conclusion: A visit to the EC can have a substantial financial impact on patients and their accompanying
escorts in South Africa. Strategies should be aimed at identifying and assisting those that are in need of financial
assistance to cover indirect healthcare costs.
significantly to the financial burden of patients seeking medical care. The aim of this study was to determine the
expenses incurred by patients and/or their escorts during a visit to the emergency centre (EC).
Methods: Patients and/or their escorts presenting to an EC in Johannesburg were asked to complete the study
questionnaire relating to expenses incurred during a visit to the EC.
Results: Of the total 396 participants that completed the questionnaire, 108 (27.2%) did not have any source
of income, 146 (36.9%) were the sole breadwinner in their household and 36 (9.1%) belonged to zero-income
households. Among those earning ≤R2000 per month, the mean expenses relating to the EC visit was R240 (SD
R372), equating to an average of 33.2% of mean monthly income. Transport costs were the most common expense
(n=302, 76.3%), while general practitioner (GP) fees incurred prior to the EC visit accounted for the bulk of the
expenses (median R450, IQR 350-820). Participants that earned >R2000 per month were significantly more likely
to incur GP fees (p =0.012), while those earning ≤R2000 per month were significantly more likely to take a loan
to cover EC related expenses (p =0.014).
Conclusion: A visit to the EC can have a substantial financial impact on patients and their accompanying
escorts in South Africa. Strategies should be aimed at identifying and assisting those that are in need of financial
assistance to cover indirect healthcare costs.
Creator
James MORROW, Abdullah E LAHER
Source
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2022.02.002
Date
8 February 2022
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Citation
James MORROW, Abdullah E LAHER, “Jurnal Internasional vol.12 issue 2 2022
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Financial burden associated with attendance at a public hospital emergency department in Johannesburg,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 3, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1902.
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Financial burden associated with attendance at a public hospital emergency department in Johannesburg,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 3, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/1902.