A quantitative model was developed to study the provision of a home televis
iting service. Systems dynamic theory was used to describe the relationship
s between quality of care, accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Input info
rmation was gathered from the telemedicine literature, as well as from over
75 sessions of a televisiting service provided by the Severo Ochoa Hospita
l to 18 housebound patients from three different medical specialties. The m
odel allowed the Severo Ochoa Hospital to estimate the equipment needed to
support increased medical contacts for intensive cardiac and other patients
.