A cost analysis of a tele-oncology practice in the United States.
Oncology services have been provided by telemedicine from the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) for almost 10 years. We have analysed the costs associated with providing tele-oncology clinics to a rural Kansas town for two fiscal years, 1995 and 2000. The aim was to compare recent tele-oncology costs with those of the first year of tele-oncology practice. A study conducted in 1995 showed that the average cost was $812 per telemedicine consultation. Data from fiscal year 2000 showed that the average cost was $410 per telemedicine consultation, a decrease of almost 50%. As the tele-oncology practice in Kansas continues to grow, it can be expected that the costs associated with providing tele-oncology services will continue to decline.
Doolittle
Gary C
GC
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA. gdoolitt@kumc.edu
Williams
Arthur R
AR
Spaulding
Ashley
A
Spaulding
Ryan J
RJ
Cook
David J
DJ
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D012423:Rural Health; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics*