Bergmo T S
Department of Telemedicine, University Hospital of Tromsø, Norway.
J Telemed Telecare. 1997;3(4):194-9. doi: 10.1258/1357633971931156.
A cost comparison of three different methods of providing consultations for ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems was carried out. The study was based on the delivery of ENT examination and treatment to a small primary-care centre without an ENT specialist in northern Norway. The three alternatives evaluated were teleconsultation, a visiting specialist and patient travel to the nearest secondary-care centre. Patient travel was cheaper for patient workloads below 56 per year. For patient workloads above 56 and below 325 patients per year teleconsultation was the cheapest alternative. Above 325 patients per year, the visiting specialist service cost less than either teleconsultation or patient travel. Transfer of medical skills from the specialist to the general practitioner was also accounted for, separately from the main cost calculation. Teleconsultation then became cost-effective for patient workloads above 52 patients per year.
对三种不同的耳鼻喉（ENT）问题会诊方法进行了成本比较。该研究基于为挪威北部一个没有耳鼻喉专科医生的小型初级保健中心提供耳鼻喉检查和治疗。评估的三种方案是远程会诊、聘请专科医生上门服务以及患者前往最近的二级保健中心就诊。对于每年患者工作量低于56的情况，患者前往就诊的成本更低。对于每年患者工作量高于56且低于325的情况，远程会诊是最便宜的选择。每年患者量超过325时，聘请专科医生上门服务的成本低于远程会诊或患者前往就诊的成本。在主要成本计算之外，还单独考虑了专科医生向全科医生传授医疗技能的情况。这样一来，对于每年患者工作量超过52的情况，远程会诊就变得具有成本效益了。
