Clare L Burns1,2,3, Sanjeewa Kularatna4, Elizabeth C Ward2,3,5, Anne J Hill2,3, Joshua Byrnes6, Lizbeth M Kenny7,8,9. 1. Speech Pathology and Audiology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 2. The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 3. Centre for Research Excellence in Telehealth, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 4. Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 5. Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 6. Centre for Applied Health Economics, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. 7. Central Integrated Regional Cancer Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 8. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 9. Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to report the economic outcomes of a new synchronous telepractice service providing speech pathology intervention to patients with head and neck cancer at nonmetropolitan facilities. METHODS: A multisite randomized controlled trial comparing standard care versus a new synchronous telepractice model was conducted within a large Australian public cancer service. Data pertaining to health service costs (staff wages, equipment, and patient travel reimbursement), patient +/- carer costs (travel and wages), and patient-reported quality of life (Assessment of Quality of Life questionnaire 4D) were collected. RESULTS:Eighty-two referrals (39 standard care and 43 synchronous telepractice care) were managed. The new telepractice service reported average cost savings of 12% (P < .0058) for the health service and $40.05 saving per patient per referral. An equivalent positive increase in quality of life (0.04) was reported for both groups. CONCLUSION: The synchronous telepractice service provides cost efficiencies over standard care for providing remote specialist speech pathology head and neck cancer intervention.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to report the economic outcomes of a new synchronous telepractice service providing speech pathology intervention to patients with head and neck cancer at nonmetropolitan facilities. METHODS: A multisite randomized controlled trial comparing standard care versus a new synchronous telepractice model was conducted within a large Australian public cancer service. Data pertaining to health service costs (staff wages, equipment, and patient travel reimbursement), patient +/- carer costs (travel and wages), and patient-reported quality of life (Assessment of Quality of Life questionnaire 4D) were collected. RESULTS: Eighty-two referrals (39 standard care and 43 synchronous telepractice care) were managed. The new telepractice service reported average cost savings of 12% (P < .0058) for the health service and $40.05 saving per patient per referral. An equivalent positive increase in quality of life (0.04) was reported for both groups. CONCLUSION: The synchronous telepractice service provides cost efficiencies over standard care for providing remote specialist speech pathology head and neck cancer intervention.
Authors: Laurelie R Wall; Sanjeewa Kularatna; Elizabeth C Ward; Bena Cartmill; Anne J Hill; Elizabeth Isenring; Joshua Byrnes; Sandro V Porceddu Journal: Dysphagia Date: 2018-12-04 Impact factor: 3.438
Authors: Centaine L Snoswell; Monica L Taylor; Tracy A Comans; Anthony C Smith; Leonard C Gray; Liam J Caffery Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2020-10-19 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Daniela C Gonçalves-Bradley; Ana Rita J Maria; Ignacio Ricci-Cabello; Gemma Villanueva; Marita S Fønhus; Claire Glenton; Simon Lewin; Nicholas Henschke; Brian S Buckley; Garrett L Mehl; Tigest Tamrat; Sasha Shepperd Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2020-08-18