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Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:1650-1652 doi:10.1136/ard.2005.038786
  • Concise report

Willingness of patients with ankylosing spondylitis to pay for inpatient treatment is influenced by the treatment environment and expectations of improvement

  1. A Boonen1,
  2. J L Severens2,
  3. A van Tubergen1,
  4. R Landewé3,
  5. G Bonsel4,
  6. D van der Heijde3,
  7. Sj van der Linden3
  1. 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands
  2. 2Department of Health Organisation, Policy and Economics, University Maastricht, The Netherlands
  3. 3Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht and Caphri Research Institute, The Netherlands
  4. 4Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr A Boonen
    Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands; aboosint.azm.nl
  • Accepted 28 March 2005

Abstract

Objective: To assess the willingness to pay (WTP) for treatment in a spa resort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to assess if the experience of a spa influences the WTP.

Methods: 120 patients participating in a randomised trial comparing 3 weeks’ treatment in a spa resort in Austria or in the Netherlands with a control group completed a WTP questionnaire before and after spa treatment. Patients indicated on a payment card the maximal co-payment they wanted to contribute for three scenarios that included (a) two levels of improvement in pain and stiffness and (b) two treatment environments: a rehabilitation hospital and a spa resort.

Results: At baseline, patients wanted to contribute more for the same improvement after treatment in a spa resort compared with a rehabilitation hospital (p<0.003), and were prepared to pay more when expected effects were higher (p<0.001). No differences were found between men and women, pain, or income. After the trial none of the treatment groups showed a change in their WTP.

Conclusion: The WTP of patients with AS for inpatient treatment is influenced by the treatment environment and the expected improvement. Experiencing treatment in a spa resort does not influence the co-payment.

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