Nonmedical Costs in Patients Receiving Oral Cancer Surgery: Interim Analysis from the COOLS Trial

Objectives:1) Describe the non-medical financial burden experienced by early-stage oral cancer patients. 2) Analyze constituent costs and discover relevant potential policy levers.Methods:The pan-Canadian Optically-guided Oral Lesions Surgical (COOLS) Trial is a multi-center randomized controlled trial evaluating a novel surgical staging method for the treatment of early-stage oral cancer. A survey of 209 participants collected data at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery on time taken away from work and expenses paid out of pocket.Results:Participants were generally able to return to work following surgery, albeit with a slight reduction in self-reported ability to work. Very few patients needed to take time off work or changed their working status (ie, going on medical leave, retiring) following their surgery (n = 4; 10 weeks; range = 5 - 146 days). A majority of trial participants reported out-of-pocket spending at baseline (n = 128; $64.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] $40 - $88), 3 months ...