Are patients counting the cost of the economic downturn?

摘要

The continuing global economic crisis remains far reaching and impossible to ignore. While some governments are trying to spend their way out of the current recession, many have concluded that these are times for austerity. Although health care is generally seen as an area to be protected, it is not immune to the current climate. An increasing number of hospitals and cancer clinics are facing closure, resulting in a reduction of the provision of cancer care. Whether this will prove to be beneficial-both for the balance sheet and, more importantly, to the patients-will depend on the regional context and how the process is managed.