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Fluctuations in service loads in an established telemedicine program
E A Krupinski1, G P Barker, S Beinar
1Departments of Radiology and Pathology, Arizona Telemedicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA. krupinski@radiology.arizona.edu
Summary
This study analyzed telemedicine consult data over 40 months, revealing steady growth in teleconsult volume and consistent multispecialty service. Long-term data analysis is key for telemedicine program development.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Telemedicine
- Digital Health
Background:
- Established telemedicine programs require evaluation for long-term viability.
- Understanding trends in service provision is crucial for program development and business planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify patterns in the volume and types of teleconsults.
- To analyze trends and significant changes in a university-based telemedicine program over an extended period.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of teleconsult data from a university-based telemedicine program over a 40-month period.
- Statistical modeling, including logarithmic regression and polynomial fitting, to identify trends in teleconsult volume and subspecialty distribution.
Main Results:
- Teleconsult volume exhibited slow but steady growth, best fit by a logarithmic regression curve.
- The program provided consults across 53 subspecialties, maintaining its multispecialty provider goal.
- Monthly variations in teleconsult volume were observed, with an overall increase over time.
Conclusions:
- Long-term analysis of telemedicine consult data is valuable for program evaluation and strategic planning.
- The findings support the sustained growth and multispecialty nature of the analyzed telemedicine program.
- Data-driven insights are essential for developing successful telemedicine business plans.