Abstract
BackgroundIn 2012, Maccabi Healthcare Services founded Maccabi Telecare Center (MTC), a multi-disciplinary healthcare service providing telemedical care to complex chronic patients. The current paper describes the establishment and operation of the MTC center, from the identification of the need for the service, through the design of its solution elements, to outcomes in several areas of care.We analyze the effects of the program on elderly frail patients, a growing population with complex and costly needs.MethodsObservational quasi-experimental analyses using propensity score matching was used to assess the effect of MTC’s operation on utilization outcomes including direct costs.ResultsResults for frail elderly patients with complex chronic conditions show significant reductions in hospitalization days and hospitalization costs. MTC interventions also entailed lower overall average monthly costs in frail patients.ConclusionWe conclude that a proactive telehealth service for complex chronic patients using education, empowerment to self-management, and coordination of care is a cost-effective means of improving quality care and health outcomes in frail elderly patients.
Highlights
In 2012, Maccabi Healthcare Services founded Maccabi Telecare Center (MTC), a multi-disciplinary healthcare service providing telemedical care to complex chronic patients
This paper focuses on the 389 frail elderly patients that were recruited to the MTC service in 2015
As the MTC service was offered nationwide but the decision to refer patients to the service was left to the discretion of primary care physicians, we could not assume that MTC patients and unenrolled MTC candidates were comparable
Summary
In 2012, Maccabi Healthcare Services founded Maccabi Telecare Center (MTC), a multi-disciplinary healthcare service providing telemedical care to complex chronic patients. We analyze the effects of the program on elderly frail patients, a growing population with complex and costly needs. The accelerated development of advanced technological solutions in the last decade holds promise for increased quality and access to health care [1]. Telecare, one such innovation, is currently extending its initially exclusive focus on acute conditions to chronic conditions [2]. Patients with advanced chronic conditions and a combination of physical and mental comorbidities and disability comprise a complex and challenging population for treatment: Their diverse clinical needs require substantial resources to prevent deterioration and. The authors concluded that proactive support from practitioners by telephone can improve clinical
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