Patient-Initiated Telemedicine Follow-Up Reduces Healthcare Visits in Spondyloarthritis Management

A new study from the Netherlands reveals that a patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) model, supported by asynchronous telemedicine, significantly reduces healthcare visits for individuals with stable spondyloarthritis. The TeleSpA study shows that PIFU, where patients initiate follow-up as needed, may provide an effective and cost-saving alternative to traditional care models, ensuring continuity of care without additional burden on healthcare providers.

Key Findings: Reduction in Visits and Comparable Outcomes

Conducted across multiple centers in the Netherlands, the TeleSpA study randomly assigned 200 participants with stable spondyloarthritis to either a PIFU and asynchronous telemedicine group or a standard care group. Participants receiving telemedicine-based care required an average of nearly 2 in-person rheumatology visits per year, in contrast to over 2.5 visits in the traditional care group, amounting to a reduction of about 25%. This decrease in visits translated to healthcare savings of approximately €180 per patient, with no reduction in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) observed.

Additionally, both groups experienced minimal adverse events, underscoring the PIFU model's safety as a viable approach for managing stable disease.

Why This Matters: A Sustainable Model for Chronic Care

The TeleSpA study underscores how PIFU, supported by telemedicine, could help address current strains on healthcare systems, including workforce shortages and rising costs in chronic disease management. This model also presents societal benefits, as it reduces travel and productivity losses for patients, further validating its cost-effectiveness. As healthcare systems worldwide seek sustainable, high-quality care options, PIFU with asynchronous telemedicine offers an innovative model that could extend to managing other stable chronic conditions, balancing patient needs with reduced healthcare resource demands.

With the ongoing evolution of telemedicine, the findings from TeleSpA offer evidence for developing patient-centered care models that maintain clinical effectiveness while easing healthcare costs and access pressures.