Effect of an Internet-based system for doctor-patient communication on health care spending.
We studied the effect of a structured electronic communication service on health care spending, comparing doctor office and laboratory spending for a group of patients before and after the service became available to them relative to changes in a control group. In the treatment group, doctor office spending and laboratory spending fell in the period after the service became available, relative to the control group (p < 0.05). A rough estimate is that average doctor office spending per treatment group member per month fell $1.71 after availability of the service, and laboratory spending fell roughly $0.12. Spending associated with use of the electronic service was $0.29 per member per month. We conclude that use of structured electronic visits can reduce health care spending.
Baker
Laurence
L
Department of Health Research and Policy, HRP Redwood Building, Room 110, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5405. laurence.baker@stanford.edu
Rideout
Jeffrey
J
Gertler
Paul
P
Raube
Kristiana
K
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011243:Preferred Provider Organizations