# Evaluating the Quality of Life of Beneficiaries After Providing Financial Aid by a Multi-specialty Tertiary Care Hospital

## TL;DR

This study shows that financial aid from a hospital significantly improves the quality of life of patients in terms of physical, mental, and social well-being.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence of the positive impact of hospital financial aid on multiple dimensions of quality of life.

## Key findings

- Quality of life scores improved significantly after financial aid with a p-value of 4.156 × 10-28.
- Post-aid comparisons between patients and a control group showed highly significant differences (p-value of 8.721 × 10-28).
- Pre-aid comparisons between patients and a control group were not statistically significant (p=0.496).

## Abstract

Background

Financial aid programs offered by multi-specialty tertiary care hospitals play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to healthcare. This study investigates the effect of financial aid on the quality of life (QoL) of beneficiaries, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted relationship between healthcare support and overall well-being.

Aim

The study's objectives included assessing changes in pre- and post-aid QoL, identifying influencing factors, understanding beneficiary experiences, and evaluating the effectiveness of financial aid programs.

Methods

The study adopted quantitative assessments through QoL questionnaires developed based on the WHO BREF questionnaire and insights obtained through interviews. A representative sample of beneficiaries was selected, informed consent was obtained, and an institutional ethical certificate was also obtained.

Results

The findings overwhelmingly support the alternative hypothesis. The alternative hypothesis was that after receiving financial support, recipients' quality of life would increase. Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant enhancement in the QoL of beneficiaries across physical, mental, and social well-being domains. The quality of life scores of patients before and after receiving the support was statistically tested using a paired t-test, and the quality of life score has improved significantly with a p-value of 4.156 × 10-28 (p value<0.001). The comparison of quality of life scores of the control group with the patient's group before getting the support was tested using an independent sample t-test and found to be non-significant (p=0.496), while a similar comparison between the control group and the patient's group after receiving the support was found to be statistically highly significant with a p-value of 8.721 × 10-28 (p-value<0.001).

Conclusions

This research demonstrates the substantial impact of financial aid on the QoL of beneficiaries in a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital setting. It underlines the importance of addressing economic barriers and providing patient-centered, holistic support. These insights have broader implications for healthcare policy and practice, promoting a more comprehensive approach to patient well-being.