Teleconsultations reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- 14 August 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Health Services Research & Policy
- Vol. 18 (4), 209-214
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1355819613492717
Abstract
Objectives Health services contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. New models of delivering care closer to patients have the potential to reduce travelling and associated emissions. We aimed to compare the emissions of patients attending a teleconsultation – an outpatient appointment using video-conferencing equipment – with those of patients attending a face-to-face appointment. Methods We estimated the total distances travelled and the direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions for 20,824 teleconsultations performed between 2004 and 2011 in Alentejo, a Portuguese region. These were compared to the distances and emissions that would have resulted if teleconsultations were not available and patients had to attend face-to-face outpatient appointments. Estimates were calculated using survey data on mode of transport, and national aggregate data for car engine size and fuel. A sensitivity analysis using the lower and upper quartiles for survey distances was performed. Results Teleconsultations led to reductions in distances and emissions of 95%. 2,313,819 km of travelling and 455 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions were avoided (22 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per patient). The incorporation of modes of transport and car engine size and fuel in the analysis led to emission estimates which were 12% smaller than those assuming all patients used an average car. Conclusions The availability of remote care services can significantly reduce road travel and associated emissions. At a time when many countries are committed to reducing their carbon footprint, it is desirable to explore how these reductions could be incorporated into technology assessments and economic evaluations.Keywords
This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect of increasing active travel in urban England and Wales on costs to the National Health ServiceThe Lancet, 2012
- Greening health care: How hard can that be?Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 2011
- The Impact of Telemedicine on Greenhouse Gas Emissions at an Academic Health Science Center in CanadaTelemedicine and e-Health, 2010
- Telemedicine Is Green!!Telemedicine and e-Health, 2009
- Tackling Climate Change Close to Home: Mobile Breast Screening as a ModelJournal of Health Services Research & Policy, 2009
- Head and neck cancer assessment by flexible endoscopy and telemedicineJournal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 2009
- Use of videoconferencing in Wales to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, travel costs and timeJournal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 2009
- Health services and climate change: What can be done?Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 2009
- NHS should bring in measures to reduce its carbon footprint, BMA saysBMJ, 2008