BMJ  2003;327 (12 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7406.0-c

Joint teleconsultations are likely to increase costs to the NHS

Virtual outreach consultations cost more than standard outpatient appointments. In an economic evaluation that was conducted alongside a randomised controlled trial, Jacklin and colleagues (p 84) found that the costs to the NHS of a virtual outreach consultation were £100 ($166; €145) more than for a conventional outpatient appointment. Patients preferred virtual outreach consultations and these made an average saving of £8, but the authors did not find evidence of improved health status at six months. The authors contend that there is little economic justification for the widespread adoption of virtual outreach services in the NHS, but the cost effectiveness of such services could be improved by better selection of patients and by improvements in technology.

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Relevant Article

Virtual outreach: economic evaluation of joint teleconsultations for patients referred by their general practitioner for a specialist opinion

P B Jacklin, J A Roberts, P Wallace, A Haines, R Harrison, J A Barber, S G Thompson, L Lewis, R Currell, S Parker, and P Wainwright
BMJ 2003 327: 84. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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