Return on investment in blended advanced cardiac life support training compared to face-to-face training in Singapore

Abstract

Background Internet adoption during the past decade has provided opportunities for innovation in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) training. With pressure on budgets across health care systems, there is a need for more cost-effective solutions. Recently, traditional ACLS training has evolved from passive to active learning technologies. The objective of this study is to compare the cost, cost-savings and return on investment (ROI) of blended ACLS (B-ACLS) and face-to-face ACLS (F-ACLS) in Singapore. Methods: B-ACLS and F-ACLS courses are offered in two training institutes in Singapore. Direct and indirect costs of training were obtained from one of the training providers. ROI was computed using cost-savings over total cost if B-ACLS was used instead of F-ACLS. Results: The estimated annual cost to conduct B-ACLS and F-ACLS were S$43,467 and S$72,793, respectively. Discounted total cost of training over the life of the course (five years) was S$107,960 for B-ACLS and S$280,162 for F-ACLS. Annual productivity loss cost account for 52% and 23% of the costs among the F-ACLS and B-ACLS, respectively. B-ACLS yielded a 160% return on the money invested. There would be 61% savings over the life of the course if B-ACLS were to be used instead of F-ACLS. Conclusion: The B-ACLS course provides significant cost-savings to the provider and a positive ROI. B-ACLS should be more widely adopted as the preferred mode of ACLS training. As a start, physicians looking for reaccreditation of the ACLS training should be encouraged to take B-ACLS instead of F-ACLS.