[Cost effectiveness of telemedicine]

Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Digital health
• Healthcare policy

Context:

• Germany faces rising healthcare expenditures due to demographic shifts.
• Telemedicine is proposed as a strategy to mitigate these increasing costs.
• The existing literature on telemedicine's cost-effectiveness requires critical review.

Purpose:

• To review existing literature on telemedicine and healthcare costs in Germany.
• To present findings from available cost-saving studies.
• To identify challenges in conducting robust telemedicine economic evaluations and propose solutions.

Summary:

• This review synthesizes current research on the economic impact of telemedicine in Germany.
• It highlights studies demonstrating potential cost reductions and analyzes methodological issues.
• The publication addresses challenges in evaluating telemedicine's financial benefits and suggests improvements for future research.

Impact:

• Provides evidence for policymakers considering telemedicine adoption to manage healthcare costs.
• Informs researchers on best practices for economic assessments of telemedicine interventions.
• Contributes to a better understanding of telemedicine's role in sustainable healthcare systems.