Economic evaluation of E‑health interventions compared with alternative treatments in older persons’ care: A systematic review
نویسندگان
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3 Department of Health Economics, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
doi
چکیده
Population aging has increased the need for long‑term care of older persons who suffer frommulti‑morbidity and chronic conditions. Today, the majority of older people are living alone in theirhome in which they try to cope with highly risky conditions such as sensory impairment, diminishedmobility, and medication management. Recent developments in information technologies couldimprove the access to care for older people as well as reducing the need for full‑time caregiversboth in homes and institutions such as nursery homes and hospitals. This study aimed to reviewthe economic evaluation of such technological advancements in the care of older people. Througha systematic approach, electronic databases were searched and of 2732 records retrieved, threepapers were included in the final review. Three different models of economic evaluation includingcost analysis, cost–benefit analysis and cost‑effectiveness analysis were applied in these studiesin the context of telemedicine and older persons’ care. Since the methodological approaches werequite different and the outcomes reported were not consistent between studies, no meta‑analysiswas applicable and we qualitatively reviewed the papers. All studies have reported cost savingsassociated with the use of telemedicine technologies such as video visits and smart homes in thecare of older persons.