ArticleSICOT-J2026
Cost reduction associated with telemedicine evaluation of low-risk orthopedic assessment: A cost-minimization analysis.
Article in SICOT-J, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionDespite the growing adoption of teleorthopedics, predominantly targeting low-complexity cases, the cost-minimization potential of this approach remains insufficiently characterized.
methodsThe study employed a cost-minimization analysis to compare telemedicine triage against conventional in-person care for orthopedic patients in a private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The analysis focused on cost as the primary outcome, assuming clinical equivalence between interventions. The perspective was hospital-based, considering operational expenses in the emergency department. Data were derived from historical cost records using absorption costing. A decision tree model was developed using TreeAge Pro 2024, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate cost variations. Results adhered to CHEERS guidelines and ISPOR economic reporting standards.
resultsThe economic analysis revealed an average cost reduction of 48% (US$ 130.00) associated with teleorthopedics, with sensitivity analysis indicating potential 22 savings ranging from 25% (US$ 72.00) to 54% (US$ 146.00). The financial benefit was most pronounced in clinical pathways without diagnostic testing, with a 0.78 probability of cost savings compared to standard care. The consultation duration and telemedicine operational costs are the most influential factors in the cost-benefit outcome.
conclusionTeleorthopedics demonstrates substantial cost-saving potential, particularly in scenarios without diagnostic testing. Consultation duration and operational costs emerge as key economic drivers.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.