Health care economics cost questions

Box 3.2 The Quality-of-Life Impact of Atopic Eczema Atopic eczema is a condition that has major impact on quality of life. The stress related to the care of a child with moderate or severe atopic eczema has been shown to be significantly greater than that of the care of children with insulin-dependent diabetes. Quality-of-life studies with patients and their families have highlighted considerable physical and psychological morbidity. For example, severe itching has resulted in sleep disturbance, with the consequential effects on siblings and parents, while engaging in normal childhood activities, hobbies and interests are often 'out-of-bounds' for children with atopic eczema. Many children have reported feeling 'different', embarrassed, isolated and subjected to teasing and bullying, which also leads to a general lack of confidence and 'school-phobia'. In addition, educational performance may also be affected as a result of the loss of schooling due to sleeplessness, side- effects of medication and loss of concentration caused by itching, which can have long-term consequences for patients. The impact of the con- dition on the work loss of parents is also highly significant, as they take time off work to visit health care professionals with their children. In addition, parents may have to reduce their working times or give up work altogether, while others may not even start employment. Source: Phillips. Explore the types of costs associated with this case