A business model for telemedicine

The US Military Healthcare System commissioned a clinical and business case study for telemedicine in Europe. The aims of the study were to identify t he major cost areas by specialty for each European location, to assess the feasibility of a telemedicine alternative and to carry out a cost-benefit a nalysis. We also examined 2000 consecutive air referrals to determine wheth er telemedicine could have avoided evacuation. The study showed that 31,000 conventional consultations could be replaced by telemedicine in Europe eac h year. The potential savings amounted to $3.7 million in travel costs and 25,000 working days. The business and clinical case for telemedicine was st rong, thus providing one of the prerequisites for successful telemedicine.