A cost analysis of a tele-oncology practice

J Telemed Telecare. 1997:3 Suppl 1:20-2. doi: 10.1258/1357633971930850.

Abstract

Costs were monitored for three different types of oncology practice: a telemedicine clinic and a fly-in outreach clinic, both held in rural areas, and a traditional clinic held in a city hospital. Total expenses were calculated over the year May 1995 to April 1996. The average cost per telemedicine visit was $812. The average cost per outreach clinic visit was $897. Flying in oncology support for this practice was therefore about 10% more costly than telemedicine. While the outreach cost may have been inappropriately high due to a slow start-up phase, it was still less expensive during this period to be seen via telemedicine. For comparison, the average cost per traditional oncology clinic visit was $149. However, this figure does not take into account the costs of access to a city-based service by rural patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Humans
  • Kansas
  • Medical Oncology / economics*
  • Medical Oncology / methods*
  • Medically Underserved Area*
  • Oncology Service, Hospital / economics
  • Rural Health Services / economics
  • Telemedicine / economics*