Cost & Activity Analysis of Patient Navigation Programs
Relevant Industries: Digital Health (software-enabled healthcare, telemedicine, remote patient monitoring), Clinical Tech (medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics), and Consumer Wellness (preventive care, fitness, mental health, nutrition, and behavior tracking).
Objective: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration aimed to perform a comprehensive cost analysis comparing two patient navigation intervention models. The primary objective was improving housing and employment outcomes for high-risk individuals living with HIV. The study provided critical insights for policymakers and public health officials to optimize resource allocation and enhance health outcomes.
Methodology: Dr. Lightner and his research team conducted a rigorous 3-year cost analysis involving 195 clients across two intervention settings: a health department and a health clinic. The team utilized micro-costing techniques, meticulously examining payroll records, subcontractor invoices, and receipts to determine actual costs. Client interactions were documented through an online portal, enabling patient navigators to accurately log intervention details. Additionally, researchers employed REDCap online surveys to evaluate clients across twelve critical unmet needs. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistics.
Results: The analysis provided clear insights into cost discrepancies between the two intervention delivery models, revealing that health department-delivered interventions were 45.4% more cost-effective compared to those provided by health clinics for managing challenging HIV cases. This groundbreaking research was peer-reviewed and published in Health Promotion Practice.
Why this Matters to Your Business: Leveraging comparable methodologies, Interro Health Evidence Partner can quantify and clearly communicate the cost-effectiveness of your technology solutions relative to standard care or competitor offerings. This strategic approach helps attract new customers, secure funding, and establish a robust competitive advantage.
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Reference:
Lightner JS, Moore E, Barnhart T, Rajabiun S. Cost and Activity Analysis of Patient Navigation for Persons With HIV: Comparing Health Department and Health Clinic Delivered Interventions. Health Promot Pract. 2024 Apr 11:15248399241245059. doi: 10.1177/15248399241245059. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38605560.