Abstract
With increased utilization of digital technologies in the healthcare sector, the thesis follows current trends and compares the use of telehealth and in-person treatment. A traditional approach to health technology assessment is utilized and further supported by NICE’s Evidence standards framework for digital health technologies. As mental disorders are on the rise, the thesis is focused on patients with depression. Equivalent to the study done by Bounthavong et al. (2016), the efficacy data used are from a randomized clinical trial of In-Home Tele-Behavioural Health Care Utilizing Behavioural Activation for Depression (Luxton et al., 2015). The data are further adjusted to the UK setting as the NICE framework has been developed by NHS in the UK. Based on the results from cost-effectiveness analyses the study concludes there is little difference between in-person and telehealth treatment from effectiveness perspective. On the other hand, study identified costs as a main factor for treatment decision. Travel cost and technology equipment availability were identified as key drivers of the total cost. These results suggest personalising the treatment decision based on identified key parameters and patient preference.