Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Program a Social Return on Investment

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this economic evaluation was to assess the value for money of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing (PCSN) and Telenursing programs.

METHODS: The six stage Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework was used to develop the economic model for the PCSN programs. Stakeholder consultations were conducted with the PCSN team to collect costs and generate the benefits associated with delivery of the PCSN program, supplemented with published evidence. Calculation of impact included dead weight loss, attribution, benefit time frame and discounting. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the model.

RESULTS: A conservative SROI analysis was conducted and a strong positive return on investment demonstrated the successful implementation of the program. Costs of the program (including costs of referral to other services) and seven major benefits were included in the final analysis: 1. Improved health related quality of life (HRQoL); 2. Reduced emergency department (ED) presentations and hospitalizations; 3. Reduced travel costs; 4. Reduced productivity losses; 5. Reductions in clinical consulting time; 6. Reductions in nurse coordination time; and 7. Reductions in missed appointments. The net social benefit and SROI for each program and a combined result are: PCSN Program:- NPV $14,633,133, SROI 1.62; Telenursing Program:- NPV $1,369,703, SROI 2.34; Combined NPV $16,003,487, 1.65.

CONCLUSIONS: Our evaluation showed that the PCSN program provided a robust net social benefit and a sound return on investment. A qualitative assessment of intangible benefits for patients and healthcare providers also showed high levels of satisfaction amongst all stakeholders and the reach of PCSNs across all six PCa survivorship domains.