The Cost-Effectiveness of Homecare Services for Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Cintia Curioni (), Ana Carolina Silva, Jorginete Damião, Andrea Castro, Miguel Huang, Taianah Barroso, Daniel Araujo and Renata Guerra
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Cintia Curioni: Institute of Nutrition, State University of Rio de Janeiro, R. São Francisco Xavier, 524-12º Andar-Bloco E-Sala 12008-Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
Ana Carolina Silva: Institute of Nutrition, State University of Rio de Janeiro, R. São Francisco Xavier, 524-12º Andar-Bloco E-Sala 12008-Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
Jorginete Damião: Institute of Nutrition, State University of Rio de Janeiro, R. São Francisco Xavier, 524-12º Andar-Bloco E-Sala 12008-Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
Andrea Castro: Department of Family Medicine, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Boulevard 28 de Setembro, 77-Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro 20551-030, Brazil
Miguel Huang: Institute of Nutrition, State University of Rio de Janeiro, R. São Francisco Xavier, 524-12º Andar-Bloco E-Sala 12008-Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
Taianah Barroso: Hospital Estadual Ary Parreiras, R. Dr. Luiz Palmier, 762-Barreto, Niterói 24110-310, Brazil
Daniel Araujo: Institute of Nutrition, State University of Rio de Janeiro, R. São Francisco Xavier, 524-12º Andar-Bloco E-Sala 12008-Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro 20550-170, Brazil
Renata Guerra: Health Technology Assessment Unit, Brazilian National Institute of Cancer, R. Marques de Pombal, 125-7º andar-Centro, Rio de Janeiro 20230-240, Brazil

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: This study provides an overview of the literature on the cost-effectiveness of homecare services compared to in-hospital care for adults and older adults. A systematic review was performed using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases from inception to April 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) (older) adults; (ii) homecare as an intervention; (iii) hospital care as a comparison; (iv) a full economic evaluation examining both costs and consequences; and (v) economic evaluations arising from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted data and assessed study quality. Of the 14 studies identified, homecare, when compared to hospital care, was cost-saving in seven studies, cost-effective in two and more effective in one. The evidence suggests that homecare interventions are likely to be cost-saving and as effective as hospital. However, the included studies differ regarding the methods used, the types of costs and the patient populations of interest. In addition, methodological limitations were identified in some studies. Definitive conclusions are limited and highlight the need for better standardization of economic evaluations in this area. Further economic evaluations arising from well-designed RCTs would allow healthcare decision-makers to feel more confident in considering homecare interventions.

Keywords: homecare; hospital care; adults; older adults; economic evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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