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A Cost-Minimization Analysis of a Medical Record-based, Store and Forward and Provider-to-provider Telemedicine Compared to Usual Care in Catalonia: More Agile and Efficient, Especially for Users

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  • Francesc López Seguí

    (TIC Salut Social, Catalan Ministry of Health, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
    CRES&CEXS, Pompeu Fabra University, 08003 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Jordi Franch Parella

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08242 Manresa, Spain)

  • Xavier Gironès García

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08242 Manresa, Spain)

  • Jacobo Mendioroz Peña

    (Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
    Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain)

  • Francesc García Cuyàs

    (Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Catalan Ministry of Health, 08950 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Cristina Adroher Mas

    (Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Catalan Ministry of Health, 08950 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Anna García-Altés

    (Agency for Healthcare Quality and Evaluation of Catalonia (AQuAS), Catalan Ministry of Health, 08003 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Josep Vidal-Alaball

    (Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
    Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain)

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine (interconsultation between primary and hospital care teams) has been operating in the counties of Central Catalonia Bages, Moianès and Berguedà since 2011, specializing in teledermatology, teleulcers, teleophthalmology and teleaudiometries. For the period until the end of 2019, a total of 52,198 visits were recorded. Objective: To analyze the differential costs between telemedicine and usual care in a semi-urban environment. Methodology: A cost-minimization evaluation, including direct and indirect costs from a societal perspective, distinguishing healthcare and user’s costs, was carried out over a three-month period. Results: Telemedicine saved € 780,397 over the period analyzed. A differential cost favorable to telemedicine of about € 15 per visit was observed, with the patient being the largest beneficiary of this saving (by 85%) in terms of shorter waiting times and travel costs. From the healthcare system perspective, moving the time spent in a hospital care consultation to primary care is efficient in terms of the total time devoted per patient. In social terms and in this context, telemedicine is more efficient than usual care. Conclusion: Allowing users to save time in terms of consultation and travel is the main driver of interconsultation between primary and hospital care savings in a semi-urban context. The telemedicine service is also economically favorable for the healthcare system, enabling it to provide a more agile service, which also benefits healthcare professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesc López Seguí & Jordi Franch Parella & Xavier Gironès García & Jacobo Mendioroz Peña & Francesc García Cuyàs & Cristina Adroher Mas & Anna García-Altés & Josep Vidal-Alaball, 2020. "A Cost-Minimization Analysis of a Medical Record-based, Store and Forward and Provider-to-provider Telemedicine Compared to Usual Care in Catalonia: More Agile and Efficient, Especially for Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:2008-:d:333916
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Josep Vidal-Alaball & Jordi Franch-Parella & Francesc Lopez Seguí & Francesc Garcia Cuyàs & Jacobo Mendioroz Peña, 2019. "Impact of a Telemedicine Program on the Reduction in the Emission of Atmospheric Pollutants and Journeys by Road," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-7, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabrizio Striani & Claudio Rocco, 2022. "Analisi sistematica di servizi di telemedicina a supporto della morbilità: tecnologie e prospettive," MECOSAN, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(121), pages 63-90.
    2. Josep Vidal-Alaball & Francesc López Seguí & Josep Lluís Garcia Domingo & Gemma Flores Mateo & Gloria Sauch Valmaña & Anna Ruiz-Comellas & Francesc X Marín-Gomez & Francesc García Cuyàs, 2020. "Primary Care Professionals’ Acceptance of Medical Record-Based, Store and Forward Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine in Catalonia: Results of a Web-Based Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, June.
    3. Cristina Adroher Mas & Celia Calvo Aroca & Ricard Casadevall Llandrich & Francesc López Seguí & Javier Martin Carpi & Francesc García-Cuyàs, 2022. "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Telemedicine Visits in a Pediatric Gastroenterology Service in the Context of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-7, November.

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