Measuring the Socioeconomic Impact of Cancer

A standardized comparison of the quality and content validity of instruments measuring the socioeconomic impact (SEI) of cancer is lacking, underscoring a need for consistency in SEI measurement. The OECI framework provides a comprehensive, policy-relevant foundation for assessing SEI, addressing the impact of cancer on patients and their families. Using the EMPRO tool to assess quality, the authors found significant variation in the quality and use among current SEI instruments. Furthermore, content validity analysis revealed that existing SEI instruments do not comprehensively cover all domains of the OECI framework, leaving aspects of socioeconomic impact unaddressed. This paper illuminates the need for future research and instrument validation aligned with a clear framework to comprehensively measure the SEI of cancer.

The discussion paper can be downloaded here.