A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEACHING CLINIC GENERATES UP TO €1 MILLION IN ANNUAL DIRECT VALUE FOR A FINNISH WELLBEING SERVICES COUNTY
Author(s)
Saku Väätäinen, PhD1, Sonja Soininen, PhD, MD2, Pekka Mäntyselkä, Professor, PhD, MD2, Erkki Soini, MSc1.
1ESiOR Oy, Kuopio, Finland, 2Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, and Teaching Clinic, Kuopio, Finland.
1ESiOR Oy, Kuopio, Finland, 2Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, and Teaching Clinic, Kuopio, Finland.
OBJECTIVES: Primary care (PC) based teaching clinics integrate health and social care student training with PC service delivery. Osmo is a new multidisciplinary teaching clinic in the Finnish Wellbeing Services County of North Savo, where students conduct supervised patient visits individually, in pairs, and in multidisciplinary teams. We estimated the annual direct value generated by Osmo, compared to conventional teaching, where one student requires one supervising professional.
METHODS: Assessment applied the PICOSTEPS framework. Annual direct effects were modelled in 2025 values from the provider perspective, drawing on the 2025 Osmo pilot, expert estimates, public registers, and published literature. Three direct value drivers were quantified: additional PC capacity (valued through net supervising-professional labour cost), direct healthcare-cost impact of targeted multidisciplinary visits, and the value of clinical research conducted at the clinic. Indirect and broader societal effects, quality-adjusted life-years, potential productivity gains, and improved teaching outcomes were excluded. Two expansion scenarios from 2029 onward were assessed, defined by premises constraints: existing hospital premises renovated for the purpose (minimum) and purpose-built or larger premises in a potential new hospital building (potential). Premises costs were not modelled.
RESULTS: Osmo teaching clinic was estimated to generate approximately 0.6 additional PC staff-hours per supervising hour; five supervised hours delivered work that conventionally required eight. Estimated total annual direct value ranged from €461,400-725,400 (minimum scenario) to €600,300-996,300 (potential scenario). Additional PC capacity was the dominant driver, followed by multidisciplinary visits, and research. Each targeted multidisciplinary reception was estimated to lower a high-need patient’s annual net healthcare costs by €190-1,840.
CONCLUSIONS: Osmo teaching clinic was estimated to deliver substantial annual direct value to the provider through expanded PC capacity, reduced costs among high-need patients, and positive research returns. Including health gains, teaching outcomes, and broader societal benefits could yield larger value and warrants future study.
METHODS: Assessment applied the PICOSTEPS framework. Annual direct effects were modelled in 2025 values from the provider perspective, drawing on the 2025 Osmo pilot, expert estimates, public registers, and published literature. Three direct value drivers were quantified: additional PC capacity (valued through net supervising-professional labour cost), direct healthcare-cost impact of targeted multidisciplinary visits, and the value of clinical research conducted at the clinic. Indirect and broader societal effects, quality-adjusted life-years, potential productivity gains, and improved teaching outcomes were excluded. Two expansion scenarios from 2029 onward were assessed, defined by premises constraints: existing hospital premises renovated for the purpose (minimum) and purpose-built or larger premises in a potential new hospital building (potential). Premises costs were not modelled.
RESULTS: Osmo teaching clinic was estimated to generate approximately 0.6 additional PC staff-hours per supervising hour; five supervised hours delivered work that conventionally required eight. Estimated total annual direct value ranged from €461,400-725,400 (minimum scenario) to €600,300-996,300 (potential scenario). Additional PC capacity was the dominant driver, followed by multidisciplinary visits, and research. Each targeted multidisciplinary reception was estimated to lower a high-need patient’s annual net healthcare costs by €190-1,840.
CONCLUSIONS: Osmo teaching clinic was estimated to deliver substantial annual direct value to the provider through expanded PC capacity, reduced costs among high-need patients, and positive research returns. Including health gains, teaching outcomes, and broader societal benefits could yield larger value and warrants future study.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EE193
Topic
Economic Evaluation, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Organizational Practices