A prospective clinical, cost and environmental analysis of a clinician-led virtual urology clinic

An example of how surgeons can help reduce carbon emissions outside of theatres too!

This study looked at the clinical, financial and environmental benefits of a telemedicine urology clinic by collecting prospective data from a weekly follow up clinic over a 4-month period (409 patients). In total, 4623 travel miles were avoided by patients using the virtual clinic, with an estimated avoided carbon footprint of 0.35–1.45 metric tonnes of CO2e, depending on mode of transport. Their predicted 12-month avoided carbon footprint is 1.04–4.04 metric tonnes of CO2e. Satisfaction scores were high, there were no reported adverse events, and cost savings were made too.

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2019; Volume: 101 Issue: 1, January 2019, pp. 30-34