The environmental impacts of telemedicine in place of face-to-face patient care: a systematic review.

Background: Health services have considerable environmental impacts through the production of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Changes to service provision are needed to mitigate these impacts. Telemedicine may be one tool to achieve this through reductions in travel.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using four databases. The search was limited to original studies in English. Studies were critically appraised using a cross sectional and economic modelling tool. Results were extracted for environmental impacts of the telemedicine service. The reporting of this review is line with PRISMA guidelines.
Results: Out of 2,916 search results, 14 met full inclusion criteria. All 14 studies found an environmental benefit of telemedicine versus face-to-face consultations through reduced greenhouse gas emissions from travel. Three studies found there to be fewer greenhouse gas emissions through telemedicine consultations after accounting for greenhouse gas emissions from the use of telemedicine equipment. © Royal College of Physicians 2022. All rights reserved.