A recent study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine calculated the savings derived from a home-based palliative care program at $12,000 per patient compared to patients receiving usual care. Results found that most of the cost savings were derived from a 34% reduction in hospital admissions for patients enrolled in the home-based palliative care.

Dana Lustbader, MD, chair of the department of palliative care for ProHEALTH in New York, co-authored the study. She says despite the cost savings, finding the right patients still remains a challenge because of what she calls a “branding problem” surrounding palliative care. Doctor Lustbader says that while more of the general public is coming to understand what this medical specialty is and how it can benefit patients with serious illnesses, there’s a lot more work to be done on both the public side and within the medical field.

“When it comes to marketing this extra layer of support to patients or referring physicians, it’s important not to overemphasize the financial benefits,” says Dana Lustbader, MD, chair of the department of palliative care for ProHEALTH in New York. Click here to read the full story.

Get the latest updates in your inbox!