102. How We Can Reap the Full Benefit of Teleconsultations: Economic Evaluation Combined With a Performance Evaluation Through a Discrete-Event Simulation
Contributed abstract in session TB-5: Healthcare Management /1, stream Regular talks.
Tuesday, 11:00-12:30Room: Room S6
Authors (first author is the speaker)
| 1. | Marius Huguet
|
| Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne | |
| 2. | Marianne Sarazin
|
| Groupe Mutualiste Aésio | |
| 3. | Vincent Augusto
|
| Mines Saint-Etienne |
Abstract
This study evaluates the use of teleconsultations (TCs) for specialist consultations at hospitals in terms of costs, resource consumption, and patient travel time. The key feature of our evaluation framework is the combination of an economic evaluation through a cost analysis and a performance evaluation through a discrete-event simulation (DES) approach. A propensity score matching procedure was applied in the economic evaluation. To identify the best scenarios for reaping the full benefits of TCs, various scenarios depicting different population types and deployment strategies were explored in the DES model. The results of the cost evaluation reveal a higher cost for the TC group, mainly induced by higher volumes of (tele)consultations per patient and the substantial initial investment required for TC equipment. The incremental cost of TCs was not statistically significant: €356.37 – €305.18 = €51.19 (95% CI 35.99 to 114.25; P=.18). Sensitivity analysis suggested heterogeneous economic profitability levels within subpopulations and based on the intensity of use of TC solutions. In fact, the DES model results show that TC performance is strongly related to the context and deployment strategy involved, depending on population characteristics, the amortization speed of telehealth equipment, and the locations of telehealth stations.
Keywords
- Healthcare management
- Performance evaluation
- Cost effectiveness and health economics
Status: accepted
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