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Cost Analysis of a Digital Health Care Model in Sweden

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  • Björn Ekman

    (Lund University)

Abstract

Background Digital technologies in health care are expected to increase in scope and to affect ever more parts of the health care system. It is important to enhance the knowledge of whether new digital methods and innovations provide value for money compared with traditional models of care. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate whether a digital health care model for primary care is a less costly alternative compared with traditional in-office primary care in Sweden. Methods Cost data for the two care models were collected and analyzed to obtain a measure in local currency per care contact. Results The comparison showed that the total economic cost of a digital consultation is 1960 Swedish krona (SEK) (SEK100 = US$11.29; February 2017) compared with SEK3348 for a traditional consultation at a health care clinic. Cost differences arose on both the provider side and on the user side. Conclusion The digital health care model may be a less costly alternative to the traditional health care model. Depending on the rate of digital substitution, gross economic cost savings of between SEK1 billion and SEK10 billion per year could be realized if more digital consultations were made. Further studies are needed to validate the findings, assess the types of care most suitable for digital care, and also to obtain various quality-adjusted outcome measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Björn Ekman, 2018. "Cost Analysis of a Digital Health Care Model in Sweden," PharmacoEconomics - Open, Springer, vol. 2(3), pages 347-354, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:pharmo:v:2:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s41669-017-0059-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s41669-017-0059-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Cecilia Dahlgren & Emma Spånberg & Sofia Sveréus & Margareta Dackehag & Per Wändell & Clas Rehnberg, 2024. "Short- and intermediate-term impact of DTC telemedicine consultations on subsequent healthcare consumption," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 25(1), pages 157-176, February.
    2. Michela Franchini & Massimiliano Salvatori & Francesca Denoth & Sabrina Molinaro & Stefania Pieroni, 2022. "Participation in Low Back Pain Management: It Is Time for the To-Be Scenarios in Digital Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Ellegård, Lina Maria & Kjellsson, Gustav & Mattisson, Linn, 2021. "An App Call a Day Keeps the Patient Away? Substitution of Online and In-Person Doctor Consultations Among Young Adults," Working Papers in Economics 808, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics, revised May 2022.

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