U.S. Internists' Perspectives on Discussing Cost of Care With Patients: Structured Interviews and a Survey

Abstract

Background: Rising out-of-pocket costs are creating a need for cost conversations between patients and physicians.

Objective: To understand the factors that influence physicians to discuss and consider cost during a patient encounter.

Design: Mixed-methods study using semistructured interviews and a survey.

Setting: United States.

Participants: 20 internal medicine physicians were interviewed; 621 internal medicine physician members of the American College of Physicians completed the survey.

Measurements: Interviews were analyzed by using thematic analysis, and surveys were analyzed by using descriptive statistics.

Results: From the interviews, 4 themes were identified: Physicians are 1) aware that patients are struggling to afford medical care; 2) relying on clues from patients that hint at their cost sensitivity; 3) relying on experience to anticipate potentially high-cost treatments; and 4) aware that patients are making financial trade-offs to afford their care. Three quarters (n = 466) of survey respondents stated that they consider out-of-pocket costs when making most clinical decisions. For 31% (n = 191) of participants, there were times in the past year that they wanted to discuss out-of-pocket prescription drug costs with patients but did not. The most influential factors for ordering a test are the desire to be as thorough as possible (71% [n = 422]) and insurance coverage for the test (68% [n = 422]).

Limitation: Findings are self-reported, the sample is limited to a single specialty, the survey response rate was low, information on the patient population was limited, and the survey instrument is not validated.

Conclusion: Physicians are attuned to the burden of health care costs and are willing to consider alternative options based on a patient's cost sensitivity.

Primary funding source: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.