Paucity of robust economic evidence regarding benefit of cancer supportive care has limited policy impact and allocation of resources. This paper will report data and insights from the “Value in Care Study” funded by the Victorian Department of Health, which utilised a Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to conduct a forecast evaluation of lung cancer supportive care services, to ascertain social value.
An SROI economic evaluation model was developed using qualitative stakeholder consultations synthesised with published evidence to compare the inputs, outcomes and financial value associated with the delivery of quality lung cancer supportive care services. SROI ratios were generated to determine the social value and cost savings associated per every $1AUD invested in cancer supportive care for both the healthcare system and patients. Deadweight, displacement, drop off and attribution were calculated, and sensitivity analysis was performed to confirm the stability of the model.
The value generated from modelled supportive care service investments in a one-year period resulted in an SROI ratio of 1:9; that is, for every dollar invested in supportive care, AUD$9.00 return is obtained when savings to the healthcare system and benefits to the patients are combined. At five-years, these same investments resulted in greater cumulative value generated for both the patient and the healthcare system, with a SROI ratio of 1:11.
Results from this study establish projected benefits and cost savings associated with investment of quality lung cancer supportive care. The SROI model provides a comprehensive framework detailing supportive care services and the health workforce necessary to achieve value-based outcomes for patients and the healthcare system.