title: Fluctuations in service loads in an established telemedicine program.
abstract: The goal of this investigation was to determine if there were identifiable patterns in the volume and types of teleconsults provided by an established telemedicine program over an extended period of time. Data from over 3 years of providing telemedicine consults within a university-based telemedicine programs were analyzed to identify trends and points of significant change in service provision. Teleconsult volume over a 40-month period was best fit by a logarithmic transformation of the regression curve that is characteristic of slow but steady growth. Consults have been provided in 53 subspecialties, with an average of 12 different subspecialties each month. Number of subspecialties per month was best fit by a sixth-order polynomial. Teleconsult volume has varied on a monthly basis, but overall volume has increased over time. This program has maintained its initial goal of being a multispecialty provider. Analyzing telemedicine consult data over extended periods of time is especially useful for long-term program evaluation and development of a successful business plan.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Radiology and Pathology, Arizona Telemedicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA. krupinski@radiology.arizona.edu
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Krupinski
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beinar
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D001130:Arizona; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013038:Specialization; D014600:Utilization Review