Health Services Utilization of People Using the Rehabilitation Advice Line in Alberta, Canada

Purpose: The Rehabilitation Advice Line (RAL) was implemented in May 2020 in Alberta, Canada, offering real-time occupational and physical therapy advice. This study investigates (1) Did patients’ health services utilization (HSU) costs change after calling RAL?; (2) What were the determinants of cost reduction? Method: We used a population-based retrospective cohort design including all RAL-answered calls between May 2020 and March 2023. We compared HSU costs (in-patient, outpatient, physician services, and prescription drugs) across three 1-year periods from the date of first RAL call: 2-years prior, 1-year prior, and 1-year post. Multivariable analyses were used to examine determinants of the probability and the amount of HSU cost reduction. Results: The analyses included 19,455 callers. A cost reduction of $12,121 (95% CI: $10,073, $14,168) per caller was observed from 1-year prior to 1-year post first call to RAL. Key determinants of cost reduction were being male, calling RAL soon after hospital discharge or physician visit, and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index. Conclusion: RAL is associated with reduced HSU costs incurred by the public health care system following a patient's first call. Further study with a control group accounting for natural change is recommended to quantify the magnitude of the impact of RAL.