Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit of an Elementary School-Based Telehealth Program.
J Sch Nurs
; : 10598405211069911, 2021 Dec 28.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34962171
ABSTRACT
Utilization of telehealth in school-based health centers (SBHCs) is increasing rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a quasi-experimental design to evaluate the effect on school absences and cost-benefit of telehealth-exclusive SBHCs at 6 elementary schools from 2015-2017. The effect of telehealth on absences was estimated compared to students without telehealth using negative binomial regression controlling for absences and health suite visits in 2014 and sociodemographic characteristics. The sample included 7,164 observations from 4,203 students. Telehealth was associated with a 7.7% (p = 0.025; 95% CI 1.0%, 14%) reduction in absences (0.60 days/year). The program cost $189,000/yr and an estimated total benefit of $384,995 (95% CI $60,416; $687,479) and an annual net benefit of $195,873 (95% CI -$128,706; $498,357). While this cost-benefit analysis is limited by a lack of data on total healthcare utilization, the use of telehealth-exclusive SBHCs can improve student health and attendance while delivering cost savings to society.
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudio:
Evaluation_studies
/
Health_economic_evaluation
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Sch Nurs
Asunto de la revista:
ENFERMAGEM
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article