Fluctuations in service loads in an established telemedicine program

The goal of this investigation was to determine if there were identifiable patterns in the volume and types of teleconsults provided by an established telemedicine program over an extended period of time. Data from over 3 yea rs of providing telemedicine consults within a university-based telemedicin e programs were analyzed to identify trends and points of significant chang e in service provision. Teleconsult volume over a 40-month period was best fit by a logarithmic transformation of the regression curve that is charact eristic of slow but steady growth. Consults have been provided in 53 subspe cialties, with an average of 12 different subspecialties each month. Number of subspecialties per month was best fit by a sixth-order polynomial. Tele consult volume has varied on a monthly basis, but overall volume has increa sed over time. This program has maintained its initial goal of being a mult ispecialty provider. Analyzing telemedicine consult data over extended peri ods of time is especially useful for long-term program evaluation and devel opment of a successful business plan.