A costing model for videoconferencing in Alberta.

The Alberta Telehealth Network uses a provincial scheduling system, which allows use of the network to be monitored via reporting procedures. We developed a province-wide costing model for videoconferencing in Alberta, including administrative, clinical and educational activities. In 2003, there were 212 different videoconferencing sites. During the year, 5766 videoconferencing sessions were provided and in these sessions the sites were connected to the network a total of 21,596 times. About 27% of the connections were from providing sites and about 73% of the connections were from receiving sites. On average, one site in the telehealth system was connected to another site about 100 times, and the average videoconferencing session included about 3.8 sites, varying from mainly two sites in clinical sessions to 4.2 sites in administrative sessions and 6.1 sites in educational sessions. The total cost of videoconferencing in Alberta for administrative, clinical and educational activities was about CA $5.74 million in 2003. About 52% of the annual cost was for educational sessions, 34% for administrative meetings and 14% for clinical consultations. The average cost of videoconferencing at a single site ranged from $223.48 (for providing clinical consultations) to $278.57 (for receiving educational sessions). The costing model provides information for decision-makers about the cost of videoconferencing activities and can be used in the development of a sustainable telehealth system in Alberta.