Economic analysis of the HEART Intervention
The Department of Infectious Diseases Q at Aarhus University Hospital has developed a holistic intervention (The HEART intervention) for HIV-infected patients to help the individual patient find his/her own resources and self-efficacy to regain lifebalance with a chronic disease – including the ability to handle everyday challenges and reduce the risk for stress and depression.
PROJECT PERIOD
Start: 2016
End: February 2020
AIM
In 2014-2015, a randomised study was completed. Aarhus University Hospital expounded on the clinical effects and CIMT was responsible for the financial analysis. We have therefore scrutinised the resources spent on the intervention, i.e. the costs of offering the intervention to patients and the effect on the patients’ need for hospital services.
In addition, the socio-economic consequences in the form of altered connection with the labour market were explored.
RESULTS
The results from this small feasibility study indicate that it is possible to deliver an extra service for HIV-infected individuals in the form of a mind–body intervention at roughly similar costs compared with standard outpatient visits alone.
EXTERNAL FUNDING
The project was financed by Gilead.
Read the article “Cost analysis of a mind–body intervention compared to usual hospital-based outpatient visits in HIV-infected individuals: a feasibility study”.
Iben Fasterholdt
Senior Researcher, PhD
Odense University Hospital, Dept. of Clinical Development - Innovation, Research & HTA
(+45) 2979 6704 iben.fasterholdt@rsyd.dk