OBJECTIVES: Virtual hospital 2.0 (VH2.0) platform, joint project between Finnish university hospitals produces and implements client-oriented digital secondary care services. Here the cost and capacity benefits of VH2.0 digital care path for women with endometriosis were assessed using predictive modelling.

METHODS: PICOSTEPS reporting framework was applied. Patients: Women with endometriosis using specialized care services in 1) Turku University Hospital Catchment Area (TYKS ERVA) or Finland generally. Intervention: Modelled VH2.0 operational change with digital care path. Comparator: Conventional practice. Outcome: Potential capacity freed (PCF, cost difference; 2017 real value). Setting: Dynamic modelling considering predicted patient cohort changes based on population structures and morbidity. Time: Five years (2018 to 2022) in annual cycles; assuming implementation completed gradually in three years at the TYKS ERVA level and in four years at the national level. No discounting was done. Effects: Predicted over-time changes in population structure and morbidity, resource use (e.g., e.g. clinician visits, nurse and clinician calls, e-appointments, travelling, patient fees) and unit costs based on the RWD and expert information. Perspective: Third-party payer limited to direct secondary care and travelling costs. Sensitivity analyses: The gradual implementation of digital care path in two or five years.

RESULTS: At the TYKS ERVA level, average annual PCF was estimated at €0.036 million for the first five years, summing up to total estimated five-year PCF of €0.179 million (14.4 % of the total conventional practice costs included). At the national Finnish level, average annual PCF was estimated at €0.203 million for the first five years, summing up to total estimated five-year PCF of €1.02 million (12.7%). The most important value drivers for PCF were revisits to a clinician and nurse calls.

CONCLUSIONS: VH2.0 digital care path for women with endometriosis potentially frees capacity for other purposes and may increase availability and achievability of secondary care services.