Cost comparison of out-patient and home-based geriatric psychiatry consultations in one service

Abstract

A study comparing the costs of home-based and hospital-based out-patient clinic consultations in an established geriatric psychiatry service are described. The cost of home-based and out-patient-based consultations were similar for both new and follow-up patients. Although home-based consultations have many advantages over hospital-based out-patient consultations, a prospective randomized study with cost-effectiveness analysis, involving several centres, is proposed.