Attitudes of health care providers toward discussing treatment-associated costs with patients in the clinical settings: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Some health care providers feel uncomfortable to lead cost communication. They spend most of their time providing psychological and physiological care, while the willingness to discuss costs with their patients is uncertain. Objective: We aimed to explore Jordanian nurses' and physicians' attitudes toward cost communication with patient and explore potential predictors of this action. Methods: Descriptive correlational survey design was conducted in 2019. A questionnaire was used to measure attitudes regarding the cost communication. A total of 122 Jordanian nurses and physician from a governmental hospital were participated in this study. Pearson's r coefficient correlation and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Jordanian health care providers demonstrated a positive attitude toward communicating cost issues with their patients. Most of them (68%), preferred to explain the cost that patients have to pay. The years of experience significantly predicted health care provider's positive attitude in cost discussion (β = 0.214, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Findings support the importance of discussing treatment-associated costs with patients. Jordanian healthcare providers are comfortable with and desire to discuss treatment-associated costs. Furthermore, the present findings emphasize to develop educational programs for health care provides to improve their financial and communication management skills.