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Table 1 The nine most frequent conditions in crowdfunding campaigns

From: Medical crowdfunding in a healthcare system with universal coverage: an exploratory study

Rank

Health problem

Number (%)

Description of the funding need

1

Cancer

101 (26.58%)

Therapy (n = 42); living expenses (n = 26); treatment-related travel costs (n = 8); support for institutions involved in cancer care (n = 7); treatment-related accommodation (n = 5); cancer research (n = 4); patient education (n = 4). In five campaigns funding was requested for therapy abroad, while in 12 campaigns therapy for foreigners was listed.

2

Mental disorder

34 (8.94%)

Animal-assisted therapies (n = 11); living expenses (n = 11); various therapies not involving animals (n = 7); support for institutions involved in mental care (n = 2); treatment-related travel costs (n = 2), patient education (n = 2); holidays to improve mental health (n = 2). Treatment for foreigners (n = 2) and treatment abroad (n = 1) were less frequently requested.

3

Disability

26 (6.84%)

Medical equipment to facilitate mobility (n = 15); other medical equipment (e.g. bed for the disabled, therapeutic chair) (n = 3); therapy (n = 4); living expenses (n = 3); treatment-related travel costs (n = 2); support for institutions engaged in disabled care (n = 2).

4

Accident

23 (6.05%)

Therapy (n = 5); handicapped accessible car (n = 5); living expenses (n = 4); treatment-related travel costs (n = 3); treatment-related accommodation (n = 3); surgery (n = 2); dental treatment (n = 2); legal procedures (n = 2). In a few cases individuals requested funding for treatment abroad (n = 2), or to finance treatment for a non-resident (n = 4).

5

Lipoedema

22 (5.79%)

Surgery to remove fat tissues (n = 19); plastic surgery (n = 1); holidays (n = 1); patient education (n = 1); legal procedures (n = 1).

6

Genetic disorders and rare diseases

20 (5.26%)

Therapy (n = 12); living expenses (n = 7); medical equipment to facilitate mobility (n = 5); medical research (n = 4); medication (n = 3), treatment-related travel expenses (n = 2). Treatment for a foreigner was requested in three cases (n = 3), while treatment abroad only in one case (n = 1).

7

Elderly and dementia

19 (5.00%)

Support for an existing elderly care institution (n = 6); living expenses (n = 6); establishing a new elderly care institution (n = 3); medication (n = 3); dance and movement therapy to prevent dementia (n = 2); Alzheimer research (n = 1); transportation for the elderly (n = 1); studies in elderly care (n = 1). In a few cases donations were asked for a foreigner (n = 3).

8–9

Sclerosis

15 (3.95%)

Living expenses (n = 4); research (n = 4); medical equipment to facilitate mobility (n = 2); therapy (n = 2), medication (n = 2); support for an institution where patients with multiple sclerosis are treated (n = 1).

8–9

Oral health

15 (3.95%)

Dental treatment (n = 13); orthodontal treatment (n = 2).