Publication of the preprint version of an analysis showing the benefits of telemedicine for the environment

The Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central of the Institut Català de la Salut, the Universitat de Manresa and the Fundació TIC Salut Social have jointly published a study which shows that the use of telemedicine is associated with a reduction in the emission of pollutants through a corresponding reduction in journeys by road.

On average, every journey which is avoided, leads to an average saving of 21.3 km travelled; a 25-minute journey; 3.24 Kg of CO₂; 4.5 grams of carbon monoxide; 4.86 grams of nitric oxide and 3.2 grams of sulphur dioxide. The analysis shows that 73% of the referrals involving Primary Health Clinics and hospitals conducted through telemedicine resolve the issue without the need for a visit to the specialist in person.

In other words, the study shows that telemedicine could be part of a series of measures aimed at taking care of the environment.

You can see a provisional version of the article at the following link.