Table 1 Cost categories and details of source data for quantification and valuation of relevant costs

1. Inpatient encounters

Administrative data

# of hospitalizations

length-of-stay

Provided by fiscal year

Referenced to time zero

2. Outpatient encounters

Administrative data

# encounters

# procedures

Provided by fiscal year

Referenced to time zero

3. Physician Fees

Administrative data

# encounters

Provider specialty

Service provided

Provided by fiscal year

Referenced to time zero

4. Medications

Patient interview

Name

Dosage, frequency & duration

Bi-annual

5. Weight Wise Clinic Visits

Administrative data and chart review

Personnel (nurses, dieticians, support staff) salaries

Administrative and capital costs

Supplies & equipment

Provided by fiscal year

Referenced to time zero

6. Home Care & Long Term Care

Patient interview

Personnel (nurse, OT, PT, RT) salaries

Disability aids (walker, bars, rails, etc.)

Administrative and capital costs

Bi-annual

7. Transfer Payments

Patient interview

Unemployment insurance

Disability benefits

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)

Bi-annual

8. Employment status, absenteeism

Patient interview

Employment status in past year (# hours/week, # weeks)

Absenteeism in past year (# days)

Annual income (by quintile)

Bi-annual

9. Weight Loss Interventions

Patient interview

Weight loss program, meal replacements, physical trainer, exercise programs, alternative therapies, nutritional counselling, commercial program

Bi-annual

10. Mobility and Medical

Patient interview

Mobility aids, home modification/renovations, rehabilitation, paid personal assistance (household activities and home productivity, driving)

Bi-annual

11. Personal/Household Productivity

Patient interview as part of quality of life surveys

Capacity to perform household/domestic activities, personal care, and participate in leisure activities (Scalar)

Paid/unpaid caregivers

Bi-annual