[Teleradiology in a family practice on the Dutch island of Ameland: a cost-benefit analysis].

Objective: To calculate the costs and benefits of the introduction of teleradiology at a general practice on the Dutch island of Ameland from the perspectives of three different entities: (a) the family doctor (investor); (b) patients; and (c) health insurance companies.

Design: Descriptive, cost-benefit analysis.

Method: For the year 2009, one and a half years after the introduction of a teleradiology facility at a general practice in Ameland, the operational and financing costs, the patient's saved travel time and expenses and the teleradiology costs for health insurance companies were compared with the costs that would have been made without teleradiology.

Results: In 2009, 426 X-rays had been taken at the general practice of which 241 for trauma and 185 for non-traumatic cases. With a reimbursement of € 100 per X-ray taken during normal working hours and € 200 for those taken during evenings and weekends, benefits for the family doctor (investor) were € 46,698 and the costs amounted to € 45,710, or a positive balance of € 980. Patients' savings in travel time and expenses were calculated at € 111,068. Health insurance companies reimbursed a minimum of € 89,265 less on diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion: The introduction of teleradiology a general practice in Ameland resulted in a considerable cost reduction for patients as well as for health insurance companies. In the future, diagnosing in this manner could be expanded in particular to regions in which the distances to hospitals are greater: a part of secondary healthcare could be conducted at a reduced cost.