Early detection and treatment of mental illness in the workplace – an intervention study

Costs of providing hospital-based psychotic disorder treatment in Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Mental illness prevalence is increasing globally and has caused a significant economic burden. However, information from developing countries regarding this issue is still limited.

AIMS

To estimate the cost of treating psychotic disorders in outpatient and inpatient wards in a provincial referral mental health hospital in West Java province, Indonesia.

METHODS

We collected data on the direct cost of treating psychotic disorders within 2014-2015. Billing data from 1565 patients were used to calculate inpatient cost, while micro-costing was used to estimate outpatient cost. One hundred and five patients visiting the hospital were interviewed to estimate indirect costs, for example, patients' and caretakers' travel, meal, and opportunity costs.

RESULTS

For inpatient care, the average direct and indirect cost/patient/episode are USD328.84 and USD213.22, respectively. For outpatient care, the direct and indirect costs are USD148,484.83/year (USD25.38/visit) and USD88,503.70/year (USD15.13/visit), respectively. The total societal cost of treating patients in the hospital is USD1,085,310.21/year (39% is an indirect cost, dominated by productivity loss).

CONCLUSION

The societal cost of treating psychotic disorders is large and potentially catastrophic to the patients. Early treatment for mental illness may avoid the high costs and lead to better productivity. Potential access barriers such as financial factors and stigma should be addressed.