Cost savings from a telemedicine model of care in northern Queensland, Australia

Thaker, Darshit A., Monypenny, Richard, Olver, Ian, and Sabesan, Sabe (2013) Cost savings from a telemedicine model of care in northern Queensland, Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 199 (6). pp. 414-417.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.5694/mja12.11781
 
92
2


Abstract

Objective: To conduct a cost analysis of a telemedicine model for cancer care (teleoncology) in northern Queensland, Australia, compared with the usual model of care from the perspective of the Townsville and other participating hospital and health services.

Design: Retrospective cost–savings analysis; and a one-way sensitivity analysis performed to test the robustness of findings in net savings.

Participants and setting: Records of all patients managed by means of teleoncology at the Townsville Cancer Centre (TCC) and its six rural satellite centres in northern Queensland, Australia between 1 March 2007 and 30 November 2011.

Main outcome measures: Costs for set-up and staffing to manage the service, and savings from avoidance of travel expenses for specialist oncologists, patients and their escorts, and for aeromedical retrievals.

Results: There were 605 teleoncology consultations with 147 patients over 56 months, at a total cost of $442 276. The cost for project establishment was $36 000, equipment/maintenance was $143 271, and staff was $261 520. The estimated travel expense avoided was $762 394; this figure included the costs of travel for patients and escorts of $658 760, aeromedical retrievals of $52 400 and travel for specialists of $47 634, as well as an estimate of accommodation costs for a proportion of patients of $3600. This resulted in a net saving of $320 118. Costs would have to increase by 72% to negate the savings.

Conclusion: The teleoncology model of care at the TCC resulted in net savings, mainly due to avoidance of travel costs. Such savings could be redirected to enhancing rural resources and service capabilities. This teleoncology model is applicable to geographically distant areas requiring lengthy travel.

Item ID: 26582
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1326-5377
Keywords: telemedicine, rural, cancer care, cost
Additional Information:

Article freely available from publisher website.

Date Deposited: 10 Sep 2013 00:16
FoR Codes: 14 ECONOMICS > 1402 Applied Economics > 140208 Health Economics @ 20%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis > 111202 Cancer Diagnosis @ 80%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920204 Evaluation of Health Outcomes @ 80%
91 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 9104 Management and Productivity > 910404 Productivity (excl. Public Sector) @ 20%
Downloads: Total: 2
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page