Medico-Economic Evaluation of a Telehealth Platform for Elective Outpatient Surgeries: Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Abstract Background The increasing prevalence of ambulatory surgeries has highlighted the need for effective postoperative follow-up. While telemedicine represents a promising option for perioperative support and postoperative monitoring, evidence of its actual benefits remains limited. Objective This study aims to evaluate the medico-economic impact of a personalized telemedicine platform for postoperative follow-up in day-surgery patients in terms of cost-effectiveness and cost-utility. Methods This single-blinded, 2-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) from August 2022 to September 2023. Adults undergoing elective day surgery were randomized into 2 groups: the intervention group, which received postoperative follow-up via the LeoMed telemedicine platform, and the control group, which received standard care. The intervention group used a personalized telehealth platform offering preoperative education, psychological support, and postoperative monitoring through daily follow-up forms sent to patients’ smartphones. Alerts generated by patient responses were reviewed by CHUM’s telehealth support unit. The primary outcome was unanticipated health care usage, including emergency visits, readmissions, and medical consultations within 30 days postprocedure. Secondary outcomes included gained quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), patient satisfaction, health care costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. Demographic…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 1,411 participants or records.
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