ECONOMIC-EVALUATION OF TELEPATHOLOGY SYSTEMS

Telepathology, defined as the practice of pathology over a distance by viewing images transmitted from a remote site, was previously analyze d mainly with respect to technical equipment and diagnostic accuracy c ompared with conventional histological diagnosis. In this paper,telepa thology is analyzed with regard to economic points of view,demonstrati ng the background for the cost-benefit analysis of telepathology. The acquisition cost and the operating costs of a telepathology system are compared with potential cost-saving and other benefits from telepatho logy. This analysis may help to decide whether or not telepathology sh ould be established in a hospital.