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Cost analysis of telemedicine use in paediatric nephrology—the LMIC perspective

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Pediatric Nephrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Editorial Commentary to this article was published on 20 November 2023

Abstract

Background

The overall cost of managing chronic diseases is a significant barrier to accessing complete and timely healthcare, especially in rural and geographically isolated areas. This cost disparity becomes more pronounced in the case of children and more so in under-resourced regions of the world. In the era of COVID-19, as the need for physical distancing increased, there was a transition in approach to healthcare provision to telemedicine consultations. This study evaluates the cost saving using teleconsultations in a paediatric nephrology clinic.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted at AIIMS Jodhpur, a tertiary care centre in western Rajasthan from March 2021 to October 2022. All consecutive paediatric (29 days–18 years) patients attending telemedicine services for kidney-related illness were enrolled. Basic demographic details were collected. Cost analysis was done after 6 months, regarding perceived cost savings for the patient and family by using telehealth for follow-up during 6 months starting from enrolment.

Results

A total of 112 patients were enrolled; 266 teleconsultations attended; 109 patients who could be followed up saved INR 457,900 during 6 months of follow-up. The average cost saving was INR − 1577/patient/visit. Patients saved 4.99% of the family income (median 2.16% (IQR 0.66–5.5)). The highest expenditure per visit was incurred for food and transport. The median distance from the residence to the clinic was 122.5 km (IQR 30–250). Over the 6-month study period, patients saved a travel distance of 83,274 km (743 km/patient).

Conclusions

The use of telemedicine as a follow-up method helps save significant costs and distances travelled by patients.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are Available from the authors upon request to corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

    Vishnu Dev, Aliza Mittal, Jitendra K. Meena, Siyaram Didel & Kuldeep Singh

  2. Resource Center HTA, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

    Vibha Joshi

  3. Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Akhil Dhanesh Goel

  4. Department of Radiotherapy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Puneet Pareek

  5. Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Sanjeev Misra

Authors
  1. Vishnu Dev
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  2. Aliza Mittal
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  3. Vibha Joshi
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  4. Jitendra K. Meena
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  5. Akhil Dhanesh Goel
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  6. Siyaram Didel
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  7. Puneet Pareek
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  9. Kuldeep Singh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aliza Mittal.

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Ethics approval

The study was started after obtaining ethical approval from Institute Ethics Committee, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

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Participants were enrolled after obtaining informed consent.

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Dev, V., Mittal, A., Joshi, V. et al. Cost analysis of telemedicine use in paediatric nephrology—the LMIC perspective. Pediatr Nephrol 39, 193–201 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-023-06062-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-023-06062-1

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