Systematic review finds virtual emergency care models are cost-effective compared to traditional care, highlighting economic benefits for diverse populations and settings.
Key Points
Virtual emergency care is demonstrated to be consistently cost-effective, with significant cost savings compared to usual care.
From 5,817 references, 12 studies showed virtual care reduced patient transfers by 31-73% and saved between US $105 and $5,118 per encounter.
Following PRISMA guidelines, the review included full economic evaluations and showed high methodological rigor across studies evaluated.
The findings support the implementation of virtual emergency care, particularly in rural settings where avoiding transfers can lead to substantial economic benefits.