Table 1 Parameter estimates and related uncertainty for a selection of most important volume components and unit costs
From: A cost minimisation analysis in teledermatology: model-based approach
Value | Uncertainty analysis (UA)** Scenario analysis (SA) | Range | Distribution parameters (T: Triangular/ β: beta(integral form)) | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Investment costs | |||||
Digital camera price per 3 years | € 175 | UA | 50 - 300 | T (mode = 175) | Market prices |
Website application development for 3 years | € 40 k | UA | 20 k - 70 k | T (mode = 40 k) | Expert opinion |
Number of accounts using the service | 5000 | UA | 2000 - 8000 | T (mode = 5000) | Expert opinion |
Duration training GP (minutes) | 35 | UA | 10 - 50 | T (mode = 35) | Trial observation |
Duration training dermatologist (minutes) | 20 | UA | 5 - 35 | T (mode = 20) | Trial observation |
Trainer hourly rate | € 16.6 | UA | 10 - 25 | T (mode = 16.6) | Expert opinion |
GP | |||||
Duration consultation (minutes) | 8.1 | Nivel [9] | |||
Costs GP per minute | € 2.5 | Dutch Manual for Costing [11] | |||
Duration teleconsultation activities (minutes) | 11.6 | UA, SA | 4.6 - 28.8 | This parameter consists of nine different parameters 9 | Trial data [10] |
Dermatologist | |||||
Duration consultation (minutes) | 10 | NA | Dutch Manual for Costing [11] | ||
Costs dermatologist per minute | € 5.6 (academic), € 6.7 (general) | NA | Dutch Manual for Costing [11] | ||
Teleconsultation duration (minutes) | 8.3 | UA, SA | 4.5 - 13.1 | This parameter consists of three different parameters | Trial observation |
Diagnostics and treatment | € 87.6 | UA | 60 -115 | Diagnosis T (mode = 50) Treatment (mode = 40) | Calculated based on prevalence information, guidelines, expert opinions and tariff books |
Number of visits per episode | 3 | UA | 1-5 | T (mode = 3) | Expert opinion |
Out-of-pocket | |||||
Distance to GP (km) | 1.8 | SA | 1 - 60 | NA | Dutch Manual for Costing [11] |
Distance to dermatologist (km) | 7 | SA | 3 - 200 | NA | Dutch Manual for Costing [11] |
Travel costs per km, public transportation or car | € 0.25 | NA | NA | Dutch Manual for Costing [11] | |
Parking costs per visit | € 2.5 | NA | NA | Dutch Manual for Costing [11] | |
Proportion patients visiting a GP or dermatologist in company | 0.2 | UA | 0-0.5 | β (r = 2, n = 10) | Educated guess based on proportion of elderly and children |
Employer costs | |||||
Duration one visit GP (minutes) * | 33.2 | UA | 25 - 40 | Consists of several parameters* | Dutch Manual for Costing [11]+ estimation |
Duration one visit dermatologist (minutes)* | 71 | UA | 40 - 100 | Consists of several parameters* | Dutch Manual for Costing [11]+ estimation |
Costs per hour | € 35 | UA | 10 - 50 | T (mode = 35) | Based on average income in the Netherlands |
General | |||||
Proportion of preventable referrals | 0.20 | UA, SA | 0.1 - 0.50 | β (r = 4, n = 19) | Trial data [5] |