Carbon Footprint of Telemedicine Solutions - Unexplored Opportunity for Reducing Carbon Emissions in the Health Sector

Abstract

BackgroundThe healthcare sector is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, in part due to extensive travelling by patients and health workers.ObjectivesTo evaluate the potential of telemedicine services based on videoconferencing technology to reduce travelling and thus carbon emissions in the healthcare sector.MethodsA life cycle inventory was performed to evaluate the carbon reduction potential of telemedicine activities beyond a reduction in travel related emissions. The study included two rehabilitation units at Umeå University Hospital in Sweden. Carbon emissions generated during telemedicine appointments were compared with care-as-usual scenarios. Upper and lower bound emissions scenarios were created based on different teleconferencing solutions and thresholds for when telemedicine becomes favorable were estimated. Sensitivity analyses were performed to pinpoint the most important contributors to emissions for different set-ups and use cases.ResultsReplacing physical visits with telemedicine appointments resulted in a significant 40–70 times decrease in carbon emissions. Factors such as meeting duration, bandwidth and use rates influence emissions to various extents. According to the lower bound scenario, telemedicine becomes a greener choice at a distance of a few kilometers when the alternative is transport by car.ConclusionsTelemedicine is a potent carbon reduction strategy in the health sector. But to contribute significantly to climate change mitigation, a paradigm shift might be required where telemedicine is regarded as an essential component of ordinary health care activities and not only considered to be a service to the few who lack access to care due to geography, isolation or other constraints.

International comparison of health care carbon footprints

“…Another leverage point to reduce the health care system's carbon footprint lies in avoiding unnecessary or even harmful treatments and medical interventions or misallocation of patients [10]. For example, avoiding intensive care in hospitals [42] or providing telemedicine solutions can reduce costly and resourceintensive forms of care and at the same time improve health outcomes and quality of life, particularly for people with chronic conditions [43]. Finally, a systemic shift from curative to preventive and from hospital to ambulatory care would likely reduce the health carbon footprint [1].…”

Telemedicine for gastrointestinal endoscopy: The Endoscopic Club E-conference in the Asia Pacific Region

“…A more interesting finding was reported by Holmner et al who showed that by replacing a physical meeting with telemedicine, carbon reduction can be achieved, thus offering a greener choice than conventional meeting 5. As shown in the decade-long result, endoscopy-related teleconferences are gaining popularity 2.…”

Climate Change and Telemedicine: A Prospective View

“…11 The rehabilitation department at the University of Sweden, showed that replacing face-to-face consultation with telemedicine reduced carbon dioxide emission 40 to70 times less. 12 In conclusion, all countries (especially developing countries which are more vulnerable to climate change) can benefit from the environmental advantages of telemedicine which help reduce the destructive effects of global warming. Therefore, healthcare centers should be informed about the benefits of telemedicine to encourage the implementation and development of this technology.…”