Dados do Resumo

Título

COST-EFFECTIVINESS OF SKIN CANCER SCREENING APPROACHES USING MOBILE UNITS VERSUS TRAINING FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND THE GENERAL POPULATION: A HEALTH ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Introdução

Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, represents a significant public health challenge due to the rising incidence and the economic and social impact associated with late diagnosis. The "Retrate Project," developed by the Hospital de Amor in Barretos and funded by PRONON, aims for the early identification of skin cancer through various approaches. The project includes: (i) training of healthcare and aesthetic professionals; (ii) active search campaigns in high-risk populations; (iii) development of a mobile application and photographic booth for health education and teledermatology; (iv) and a teledermatology platform for managing images and referrals for treatment. The economic evaluation of these technologies is crucial to ensure efficiency and improve health outcomes, especially with the rising costs associated with skin cancer.

Objetivo

To analyze the cost-effectiveness of the targeted, opportunistic, and population-based screening approaches promoted by the Retrate Project, and to evaluate which strategies are most effective for early diagnosis, reproducible, and offer the best cost-benefit ratio from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system, SUS. Additionally, other health economic analyses will be conducted, including budget impact, acquisition costs, adherence, and sensitivity analysis.

Métodos

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different screening strategies for early diagnosis of skin cancers, with a focus on melanoma, the analyses will compare new approaches considering associated costs, clinical outcomes, and health resource utilization. Based on the proposed model, we will calculate the cost and effectiveness of skin cancer screening. For budget impact analysis, a static model will be developed in Microsoft Excel according to the Methodological Guidelines of the Brazilian Network for Health Technology Assessment (REBRATS). Sensitivity analysis by scenarios will also be conducted

Resultados

Expected Results: It is anticipated that these screening approaches will increase early diagnosis of skin cancer, particularly the more aggressive type, melanoma. With data from this study, we will characterize the patients diagnosed in terms of demographics, clinical features, and specific characteristics of identified cases, as well as their impact on incidence, survival, and costs associated with the project in the city and region of Barretos – SP. Through economic analyses, we aim to determine if these approaches are cost-effective and identify which strategies offer the best cost-benefit ratio and potential for replication in other contexts of the public health system.

Conclusões

This study has the potential to provide valuable information for improving skin cancer screening programs, with significant impacts on the efficiency of the Brazilian public health system. By identifying the most cost-effective and reproducible screening strategies, we can contribute to optimizing the resources of the Unified Health System (SUS), improving the quality of care provided to oncology patients, and providing a robust foundation for implementing more efficient, economically viable, and sustainable public health policies in the long term.

Palavras Chave

Skin cancer; Health economic analysis; Cost-effectiveness