Impact of a Telemedicine Program on the Reduction in the Emission of Atmospheric Pollutants and Journeys by Road.

Josep Vidal-Alaball,Jacobo Mendioroz Peña,Francesc Garcia Cuyàs,Francesc Lopez Seguí,Jordi Franch-Parella

doi:10.3390/ijerph16224366

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluates the effect of a telemedicine program developed in the central Catalan region in lowering the environmental footprint by reducing the emission of atmospheric pollutants, thanks to a reduction in the number of hospital visits involving journeys by road. Between January 2018 and June 2019, a total of 12,322 referrals were made to telemedicine services in the primary care centers, avoiding a total of 9034 face-to-face visits. In total, the distance saved was 192,682 km, with a total travel time saving of 3779 h and a total fuel reduction of 11,754 L with an associated cost of €15,664. This represents an average reduction of 3248.3 g of carbon dioxide, 4.05 g of carbon monoxide, 4.86 g of nitric oxide and 3.2 g of sulphur dioxide. This study confirms that telemedicine reduces the environmental impact of atmospheric pollutants emitted by vehicles by reducing the number of journeys made for face-to-face visits, and thus contributing to environmental sustainability.

Highlights

The distance travelled and time spent by patients when visiting a doctor may limit patients’ access to medical care
Teleeyelids and Teleaudiometries, which are in the process of being evaluated, are the most recent telemedicine programs introduced in the region
In the current climate of growing interest in reducing the environmental footprint of health care activities [13,14], this study evaluates the effect of a telemedicine program in lowering a procedure’s environmental footprint by reducing the emission of atmospheric pollutants due to a reduction in the number of hospital visits involving journeys by road

Summary

Introduction

The distance travelled and time spent by patients when visiting a doctor may limit patients’ access to medical care. Telemedicine overcomes geographical barriers to healthcare, which is beneficial for patients in rural communities or in places where there is a shortage of doctors or a shortage of health services [1,2,3,4]. In the central Catalan region, the Bages, Moianès and Berguedà counties have developed several telemedicine programs: the most consolidated is Teledermatology while the most innovative are Teleulcers, Teleeyelids and Teleaudiometries. Teleulcers it is a more specialized service that, with less patient volume, has managed to improve the quality of care for people with chronic ulcers [7]. Teleeyelids and Teleaudiometries, which are in the process of being evaluated, are the most recent telemedicine programs introduced in the region

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion