Total joint replacement follow-up: Economic analysis for web-based vs. in-person

Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Are web-based follow-ups for total joint replacements effective?

A new study published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery compares web-based follow-up with traditional in-person follow-up for total joint replacement patients for quality and cost-effectiveness. There were 229 patients included in the study; 118 patients were in the web-based group and 111 in the usual-care group.

 

The patients had undergone total joint replacements within 12 months and the researchers calculated recorded travel costs and time associated with each option. Any resource use was documented related to the procedure; the costs in the study are presented in 2012 Canadian dollars.

 

Here are three key findings in the study:

 

1. The average assessment cost from the societal perspective was $98 per patient for the web-based assessment and $162 per patient for the in-person follow-up.

 

2. The web-based assessment costs were significantly lower than the in-person costs. The average difference was $64.

 

3. Healthcare payers also found the web-based assessment significantly less costly, with the average difference being $27.

 

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