Financial costs of families in childhood cancer care: an integrative review

• Published in: Acta paulista de enfermagem 2024, Vol.37
• Main Authors: Lopes, Teodora Ferreira, Neris, Rhyquelle Rhibna, Lucca, Milena de, André, Tatiane Geralda, Araújo, Jeferson Santos, Nascimento, Lucila Castanheira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0103-2100; 1982-0194
• DOI: 10.37689/acta-ape/2024ar000116066

Abstract Objective To analyze evidence on the financial costs of families caring for children and adolescents during cancer treatment. Methods Integrative review with searches conducted in the PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. Articles published in Portuguese, Spanish and English, in the last ten years, with different study designs and that addressed the topic, were considered. For the searches, the controlled descriptors MeSH were used, for the titles CINAHL and EMTREE, their synonyms and keywords, linked by Boolean operators AND and OR. Results Twenty-two articles were included. The results were described in the following categories: Direct costs (medical and non-medical); and Indirect costs (parental employment status and family income). Medical costs are those associated with hospitalizations, treatment and diagnosis. The main elements responsible for non-medical expenses were travel, food and accommodation. The impact on families’ employment situation is a consequence of the high demand for care imposed on caregivers for childhood cancer treatment. As a result of the change in work situation, families need to deal with the risk and consequences of a decrease or loss of income. Conclusion The results indicate that families bear direct and indirect medical expenses as well as non-health-related costs resulting from the disease. Furthermore, they are affected by indirect costs, such as lost productivity, impact and changes in employment, which significantly reduces income. Resumo Objetivo Analisar evidências sobre os custos financeiros de famílias no cuidado de crianças e adolescentes durante o tratamento oncológico. Métodos Revisão integrativa. As buscas foram realizadas nas bases de dados: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science e EMBASE. Foram considerados artigos publicados em português, espanhol e inglês, nos últimos dez anos, com diferentes desenhos de estudo e que abordassem a temática. Para as buscas, foram utilizados os descritores controlados MeSH, dos títulos CINAHL e EMTREE, seus sinônimos e palavras-chave, interligados pelos operadores booleanos AND e OR. Resultados Foram incluídos 22 artigos. Os resultados foram descritos em categorias: Custos diretos (médicos e não médicos) e indiretos (condição laboral parental e renda familiar). Os custos médicos são aqueles associados a hospitalizações, tratamento e diagnóstico. Os principais elementos responsáveis pelas despesas não médicas foram viagens, alimentação e acomod