title: A cost analysis of a tele-oncology practice in the United States.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA. gdoolitt@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Gary C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Doolittle
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spaulding
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Spaulding
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: 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*