Telemedicine usage boost linked to environmental advantages, study reveals
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), it has been estimated that between 741,000 and 1.3 million telemedicine visits substituted traditional, in-person doctors' appointments. This shift towards virtual healthcare has a substantial environmental benefit, with the carbon emissions savings roughly equivalent to those produced by 61,000 to 130,000 gas-powered vehicles.
The research, which analysed data from the Milliman MedInsight Emerging Experience database, found that swapping in-person doctors' visits for virtual ones can reduce carbon emissions. Over a nearly three-month span in 2023, the study analysed data from approximately 1.5 million telemedicine visits across the country.
During this period, the researchers estimated that between four million and 7.5 million kg of carbon emissions were saved as a result of telemedicine visits. When these figures are projected across the entire country, they amount to a savings between 21.4 million and 47.6 million kg of carbon emissions.
The study's lead author, Dr. A. Mark Fendrick, stated that the health care sector contributes significantly to the global carbon footprint. Dr. John N. Mafi, another researcher involved in the study, added that the findings provide important evidence for policymakers considering whether to extend or modify pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, as telemedicine has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of US health care delivery.
While telehealth visits aren't as popular as they once were at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the study indicates that they may reduce some of the environmental burden associated with driving to and from health care visits. The researchers believe that increasing access to virtual health care can have important environmental benefits.
However, it's worth noting that the study did not discuss any specific strategies for promoting the use of telemedicine to further reduce carbon emissions in the health care sector. Additionally, the study did not specify the exact amount of carbon emissions reduction achieved by using telemedicine or provide information on potential drawbacks or limitations of telemedicine in terms of environmental impact.
Despite these limitations, the findings suggest that the environmental impact of medical care delivery can be reduced when lower-carbon options like telemedicine are used instead of services that produce more emissions. In fact, the carbon emissions savings from telemedicine are also equivalent to recycling 1.8 million to four million trash bags.
As the world continues to grapple with climate change, initiatives like this study highlight the potential for technology to contribute to a more sustainable future. By embracing telemedicine and other low-carbon solutions, the healthcare sector can play a significant role in reducing its carbon footprint and helping to combat global warming.
The study on telemedicine visits conducted by UCLA researchers showcases that the shift to virtual healthcare can reduce carbon emissions, with potential environmental benefits parallel to recycling 1.8 million to four million trash bags. Moreover, the healthcare sector, notably cont contributions significantly to the global carbon footprint, and telemedicine offers a viable solution to decrease this impact, aligning with efforts to combat climate change.
