Work

Development and validation of FinTox: A new screening tool to assess cancer‐related financial toxicity

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop and validate FinTox, a concise tool for screening and managing financial toxicity in oncology settings. METHODS: Development involved qualitative interviews with healthcare providers and patients, and feedback from a 7-member expert panel resulting in a 5-item measure that evaluates financial strain, psychological responses, and care modifications. Psychometric evaluations examined factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent and convergent validity. Associations between FinTox scores and sociodemographic/medical factors were also analyzed using univariate and multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Twelve healthcare providers and 20 patients were interviewed, and 268 patients (69.8% female, 47.4% non-Hispanic White) completed surveys including FinTox, the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST), health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures, and sociodemographic questions. FinTox demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95). Significant correlations with the COST (r = -0.62, p < 0.001) and HRQOL measures corroborated content and convergent validity. Diagnostic accuracy was evidenced by a sensitivity of 72.3%, specificity of 85.2%, positive predictive value of 83.2%, and negative predictive value of 70.3%. Higher FinTox scores were also associated with receiving care at a safety-net hospital, Black race, household income <600% of the federal poverty level, and Stage 4 cancer. CONCLUSION: FinTox's robust psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy position it as a reliable tool for detecting financial toxicity. Future research should evaluate its responsiveness to changes over time and integration into clinical workflows.

Source: Cancer Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7306

Authors: Hoda Badr, Jessie Han, Martha Mims

Institution: Baylor College of Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Economic and Financial Impacts of Cancer

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,270