Cost analysis of telemedicine use in paediatric nephrology-the LMIC perspective.
Children
Cost analysis
Low middle–income countries
Telemedicine
Travel distance
Journal
Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)
ISSN: 1432-198X
Titre abrégé: Pediatr Nephrol
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 8708728
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jan 2024
Jan 2024
Historique:
received:
02
05
2023
accepted:
14
06
2023
revised:
07
06
2023
medline:
27
11
2023
pubmed:
25
7
2023
entrez:
24
7
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The overall cost of managing chronic diseases is a significant barrier to accessing complete and timely healthcare, especially in rural and geographically isolated areas. This cost disparity becomes more pronounced in the case of children and more so in under-resourced regions of the world. In the era of COVID-19, as the need for physical distancing increased, there was a transition in approach to healthcare provision to telemedicine consultations. This study evaluates the cost saving using teleconsultations in a paediatric nephrology clinic. This prospective cohort study was conducted at AIIMS Jodhpur, a tertiary care centre in western Rajasthan from March 2021 to October 2022. All consecutive paediatric (29 days-18 years) patients attending telemedicine services for kidney-related illness were enrolled. Basic demographic details were collected. Cost analysis was done after 6 months, regarding perceived cost savings for the patient and family by using telehealth for follow-up during 6 months starting from enrolment. A total of 112 patients were enrolled; 266 teleconsultations attended; 109 patients who could be followed up saved INR 457,900 during 6 months of follow-up. The average cost saving was INR - 1577/patient/visit. Patients saved 4.99% of the family income (median 2.16% (IQR 0.66-5.5)). The highest expenditure per visit was incurred for food and transport. The median distance from the residence to the clinic was 122.5 km (IQR 30-250). Over the 6-month study period, patients saved a travel distance of 83,274 km (743 km/patient). The use of telemedicine as a follow-up method helps save significant costs and distances travelled by patients. A higher-resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The overall cost of managing chronic diseases is a significant barrier to accessing complete and timely healthcare, especially in rural and geographically isolated areas. This cost disparity becomes more pronounced in the case of children and more so in under-resourced regions of the world. In the era of COVID-19, as the need for physical distancing increased, there was a transition in approach to healthcare provision to telemedicine consultations. This study evaluates the cost saving using teleconsultations in a paediatric nephrology clinic.
METHODS
METHODS
This prospective cohort study was conducted at AIIMS Jodhpur, a tertiary care centre in western Rajasthan from March 2021 to October 2022. All consecutive paediatric (29 days-18 years) patients attending telemedicine services for kidney-related illness were enrolled. Basic demographic details were collected. Cost analysis was done after 6 months, regarding perceived cost savings for the patient and family by using telehealth for follow-up during 6 months starting from enrolment.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A total of 112 patients were enrolled; 266 teleconsultations attended; 109 patients who could be followed up saved INR 457,900 during 6 months of follow-up. The average cost saving was INR - 1577/patient/visit. Patients saved 4.99% of the family income (median 2.16% (IQR 0.66-5.5)). The highest expenditure per visit was incurred for food and transport. The median distance from the residence to the clinic was 122.5 km (IQR 30-250). Over the 6-month study period, patients saved a travel distance of 83,274 km (743 km/patient).
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The use of telemedicine as a follow-up method helps save significant costs and distances travelled by patients. A higher-resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37488241
doi: 10.1007/s00467-023-06062-1
pii: 10.1007/s00467-023-06062-1
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
193-201Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Pediatric Nephrology Association.
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