Activity-Based Cost Analysis of Speech-Language Therapy Services: A Comparison between Conventional Therapy versus Teletherapy For Paediatric Population

Activity-based cost analysis is a gold standard in economic evaluation.Despite reports on the costs of conventional and virtual healthcare services, limited studies demonstrated the costs of speech-language therapy services, especially those comparing the costs of conventional speech-language therapy versus teletherapy.This study aims to compare the costs invested by caregivers, student clinicians (SCs) and the service institution (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) for speech-language intervention programs at the university that were delivered via conventional face-to-face sessions and telesessions.A total of 18 caregiver-SC dyads were recruited.All therapy activities and materials used in each therapy session were coded and analysed using a micro-costing form.Administrative costs were also documented.Overall, face-to-face therapy costs higher than teletherapy.However, cost differences were only significant for the caregivers and SCs.These findings are useful in determining service delivery approaches and support for service consumers.