Abstract

Digital healthcare and the inclusion of technologies is a rapidly expanding phenomenon that can assist healthcare organizations in optimizing costs and delivering services to patients, in light of the long-standing growing demand for healthcare services. Compared to the scientific production related to the application of digital technologies to the healthcare sector, limited focus has been placed on economic evaluations that affect the convenience choices of healthcare organizations. Moreover, studies mainly focus on aspects of cost-effectiveness and the generation of financial savings, failing to account for and include non-monetary aspects and the creation of value for users. This study aims to explore economic evaluation of telemedicine, starting from a bibliometric analysis of the broad topic of costs analysis in digital healthcare, then focusing on the potential of the cost-benefit approach. As it is based on assigning a monetary value to both the inputs and outputs of healthcare activities, it can allow to assess their respective costs and benefits for the various stakeholders involved. The bibliometric analysis enables to assess the academic debate on the subject, and the subsequent focus on cost-benefit analysis presents a unique perspective that may help healthcare organizations adopt this approach. The findings contribute to map theoretical knowledge on how to conduct economic evaluations of telemedicine. The potential for healthcare organization to adopt a cost-benefit approach is emphasized, particularly in terms of attention to the stakeholders’ perspectives and their needs, in line with value-based principles.

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