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Klais M, Doll U, Purbojo A, Dittrich S, Rottermann K. The Congenital Cardiology Cloud: Proof of feasibility of Germany's first tele-medical network for pediatric cardiology. J Telemed Telecare 2024; 30:1573-1580. [PMID: 36938629 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x231158838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For an optimal interplay based on the data-secure exchange of diagnostic data between patients, ambulatory care, and hospital care, we implemented the first tele-medical network for pediatric cardiology in Germany, the Congenital Cardiology Cloud. This study focuses on its feasibility, technical characteristics, and implementation in routine clinical work. METHODS Tele-medical traffic comprised numbers of incoming/outgoing data, related file types, treatment options for tele-medically processed patients, and patient classification with respect to the severity of disease. Proof of feasibility was related to the number of successful tele-medical transmissions of discharge documents at the end of the observation period (02/2020-10/2020). RESULTS Analysis of Congenital Cardiology Cloud's data communication showed a number of 1178 files for a total of 349 patients, favoring transmissions towards the clinic. Incoming traffic was predominantly characterized by diagnostic data regarding tele-consultations (76.6%), consisting of a multitude of file types, whereas 93.4% of the dispatched data corresponded to discharge letters. The number of tele-consultations counted up to 61, with a necessary subsequent treatment or diagnostic procedure in 90.2% of the presented cases. Tele-medically processed patients generally showed to be more complex (severe chronic heart disease 42.4% vs. 23.7%). At the end of the observation period, 97.6% of the discharge documents were transmitted via telemedicine. DISCUSSION The implementation of the first tele-medical network for pediatric cardiology in Germany proves recent technological developments to successfully enable innovative patient care, connecting the ambulatory and hospital sector for a joint patient advice, predominantly in more complex cases. Possible governmentally guided refinancing concepts will show its long-term feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Klais
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Doll
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ariawan Purbojo
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Dittrich
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Rottermann
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Stevenin G, Canonge J, Gervais M, Fiore A, Lareyre F, Touma J, Desgranges P, Raffort J, Sénémaud J. e-Health and environmental sustainability in vascular surgery. Semin Vasc Surg 2024; 37:333-341. [PMID: 39277350 DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2024.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
e-Health technology holds great promise for improving the management of patients with vascular diseases and offers a unique opportunity to mitigate the environmental impact of vascular care, which remains an under-investigated field. The innovative potential of e-Health operates in a complex environment with finite resources. As the expansion of digital health will increase demand for devices, contributing to the environmental burden of electronics and energy use, the sustainability of e-Health technology is of crucial importance, especially in the context of increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. This review discusses the environmental impact of care related to vascular surgery and e-Health innovation, the potential of e-Health technology to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions generated by the health care sector, and to provide leads to research promoting e-Heath technology sustainability. A multifaceted approach, including ethical design, validated eco-audits methodology and reporting standards, technological refinement, electronic and medical devices reuse and recycling, and effective policies is required to provide a sustainable and optimal level of care to vascular patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Stevenin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000 Créteil, France; Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Jennifer Canonge
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000 Créteil, France; Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Marianne Gervais
- Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France; Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, U955 INSERM, Créteil, France
| | - Antonio Fiore
- Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, Créteil, France
| | - Fabien Lareyre
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Hospital of Antibes Juan-les-Pins, France,; Université Côte d'Azur, Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7370, LP2M, Nice, France; Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Plan&Go, Nice, France
| | - Joseph Touma
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000 Créteil, France; Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Pascal Desgranges
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000 Créteil, France; Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Juliette Raffort
- Université Côte d'Azur, Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7370, LP2M, Nice, France; Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Plan&Go, Nice, France; Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, University Hospital of Nice, France; Institute 3IA Côte d'Azur, Université Côte d'Azur, France
| | - Jean Sénémaud
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000 Créteil, France; Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France; Laboratory for Vascular Translational Science, U1148 INSERM, Paris, France.
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van der Zee C, Chang-Wolf J, Koopmanschap MA, van Leeuwen R, Wisse RPL. Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Telemedicine: A Systematic Review. Health Serv Insights 2024; 17:11786329241271562. [PMID: 39139395 PMCID: PMC11320403 DOI: 10.1177/11786329241271562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Healthcare is responsible for 4% to 10% of carbon emissions worldwide, of which 22% is related to transport. Telemedicine emerged as a potential solution to reduce the footprint, for example, by reducing travel. However, a need to understand which variables to include in carbon footprint estimations in telemedicine limits our understanding of the beneficial impact telemedicine might have on our environment. This paper aims to systematically assess the reported carbon footprint and include variables assessed by the literature, comparing telemedicine with usual care. Methods The systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines in PubMed, Medline, Embase and Scopus. A quality assessment was performed using a transparency checklist for carbon footprint calculators. Carbon emissions were evaluated based on four categories, including patient travel, and streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) for assessing included variables relevant to telemedicine. Results We included 33 articles from 1117 records for analysis. The average transparency score was 38% (range 18%-68%). The median roundtrip travel distance for each patient was 131 km (interquartile range [IQR]: 60.8-351), or 25.6 kgCO2 (IQR: 10.6-105.6) emissions. There is high variance among included variables. Saved emissions are structurally underestimated by not including external factors such as a streamlined LCA. Conclusions Telemedicine aids in reducing emissions, with travel distance being the most significant contributor. Additionally, we recommend accounting for the LCA since it highlights important nuances. This review furthers the debate on assessing carbon footprint savings due to telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper van der Zee
- Ophthalmology Department, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Chang-Wolf
- Ophthalmology Department, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc A Koopmanschap
- Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Redmer van Leeuwen
- Ophthalmology Department, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Dutch Workgroup of Sustainable Ophthalmology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert PL Wisse
- Ophthalmology Department, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Williams JTW, Bell KJL, Morton RL, Dieng M. Methods to Include Environmental Impacts in Health Economic Evaluations and Health Technology Assessments: A Scoping Review. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2024; 27:794-804. [PMID: 38462223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The environmental impacts of healthcare are important factors that should be considered during health technology assessments. This study aims to summarize the evidence that exists about methods to include environmental impacts in health economic evaluations and health technology assessments. METHODS We identified records for screening using an existing scoping review and a systematic search of academic databases and gray literature up to September 2023. We screened the identified records for eligibility and extracted data using a narrative synthesis approach. The review was conducted following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. RESULTS We identified 2898 records and assessed the full text of 114, of which 54 were included in this review. Ten methods were identified to include environmental impacts in health economic evaluations and health technology assessments. Methods included converting environmental impacts to dollars or disability-adjusted life years and including them in a cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, or cost-benefit analysis, calculating an incremental carbon footprint effectiveness ratio or incremental carbon footprint cost ratio, incorporating impacts as one criteria of a multi-criteria decision analysis, and freely considering impacts during health technology assessment deliberation processes. CONCLUSIONS Methods to include environmental impacts in health economic evaluations and health technology assessments exist but have not been tested for widespread use by health technology assessment agencies. Further research and implementation work is needed to determine which method can best aid decision makers to choose low environmental impact healthcare interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake T W Williams
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Katy J L Bell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachael L Morton
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mbathio Dieng
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Navarro-Martínez O, Martinez-Millana A, Traver V. Use of tele-nursing in primary care: A qualitative study on its negative and positive aspects. Aten Primaria 2024; 56:102843. [PMID: 38215687 PMCID: PMC10827397 DOI: 10.1016/j.aprim.2023.102843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the opinions of nursing professionals on the current limitations and future potential of digital tools in healthcare. DESIGN Qualitative and descriptive study. LOCATION The study took place during an asynchronous MOODLE course on the use of ICT in healthcare, specifically aimed at nursing professionals. PARTICIPANTS The number of nurses enrolled in the course was 150. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted focusing on the positive and negative aspects that telenursing can offer in the context of a Moodle training in new technologies for nurses. A thematic analysis was carried out following the method proposed by Braun and Clarke. RESULTS In the end 68 nurses participated in the forum. Their statements, opinions and perceptions were analyzed and 28 descriptive codes were obtained and subsequently categorized into positive and negative aspects. CONCLUSIONS Nurses positively value the usefulness of digital tools and identify a wide range of benefits of telenursing in daily practice. At the same time, they point out crucial limitations that may slow down the adoption of telenursing, pointing to areas for improvement such as training and digital literacy of both patients and professionals. They consider that telenursing can humanise care, but insist on the need to prevent its use from increasing health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Navarro-Martínez
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Instituto ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Antonio Martinez-Millana
- Instituto ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, Spain; Grup de Salut Digital CAMFIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicente Traver
- Instituto ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, Spain
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Finkelstein JB, Hauptman M, Acosta K, Flanagan S, Cahill D, Smith B, Bernstein A, Shah SH, Kaur R, Meyers H, Shah AS, Meara JG, Estrada CR. Environmental Impact of a Pediatric and Young Adult Virtual Medicine Program: A Lesson from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Acad Pediatr 2024; 24:408-416. [PMID: 37499794 PMCID: PMC10809144 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to the expansion of virtual medicine as a method to provide patient care. We aimed to determine the impact of pediatric and young adult virtual medicine use on fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas, and nongreenhouse traffic-related air pollutant emissions. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of all virtual medicine patients at a single quaternary-care children's hospital with a geocoded address in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prior to (March 16, 2019-March 15, 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 16, 2020-March 15, 2021). Primary outcomes included patient travel distance, gasoline consumption, carbon dioxide and fine particulate matter emissions as well as savings in main hospital energy use. RESULTS There were 3,846 and 307,273 virtual visits performed with valid Massachusetts geocoded addresses prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. During 1 year of the pandemic, virtual medicine services resulted in a total reduction of 620,231 gallons of fossil fuel use and $1,620,002 avoided expenditure as well as 5,492.9 metric tons of carbon dioxide and 186.3 kg of fine particulate matter emitted. There were 3.1 million fewer kilowatt hours used by the hospital intrapandemic compared to the year prior. Accounting for equipment emissions, the combined intrapandemic emission reductions are equivalent to the electricity required by 1,234 homes for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS Widespread pediatric institutional use of virtual medicine provided environmental benefits. The true potential of virtual medicine for decreasing the environmental footprint of health care lies in scaling this mode of care to patient groups across the state and nation when medically feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia B Finkelstein
- Department of Urology (JB Finkelstein and CR Estrada), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Surgery (JB Finkelstein, CR Estrada, and JG Meara), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Marissa Hauptman
- Division of General Pediatrics (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics (M Hauptman, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, SH Shah), Boston, Mass.
| | - Keith Acosta
- Division of General Pediatrics (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, SH Shah), Boston, Mass
| | - Shelby Flanagan
- Division of General Pediatrics (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics (M Hauptman, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, SH Shah), Boston, Mass
| | | | - Brian Smith
- Department of Engineering (B Smith), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Aaron Bernstein
- Division of General Pediatrics (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics (M Hauptman, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, SH Shah), Boston, Mass; Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE) (A Bernstein), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Mass
| | - Shalini H Shah
- Division of General Pediatrics (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pediatrics (M Hauptman, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, and SH Shah), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Region 1 New England Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (M Hauptman, K Acosta, S Flanagan, A Bernstein, SH Shah), Boston, Mass
| | - Ravneet Kaur
- Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator (R Kaur and H Meyers), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Heather Meyers
- Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator (R Kaur and H Meyers), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Ankoor S Shah
- Department of Ophthalmology (AS Shah), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - John G Meara
- Department of Surgery (JB Finkelstein, CR Estrada, and JG Meara), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Plastic & Oral Surgery (JG Meara), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Carlos R Estrada
- Department of Urology (JB Finkelstein and CR Estrada), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Surgery (JB Finkelstein, CR Estrada, and JG Meara), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
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Castillo-Rodenas M, Vidal-Alaball J, Solanas-Bacardit N, Farràs-Company C, Fuster-Casanovas A, Miró Catalina Q, López Seguí F. Feasibility of a Pediatric Acute Video Consultation Process Among Health Care Professionals in Primary Care in a Rural Setting: Protocol for a Prospective Validation Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e52946. [PMID: 38300693 PMCID: PMC10870202 DOI: 10.2196/52946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For years, in Catalonia and in the rest of Spain, there has been a deficit and an unequal geographical distribution of health professionals specializing in pediatrics, especially in rural areas. Among the proposals to improve this situation is the promotion of the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) among users and professionals. Moreover, with the outbreak of COVID-19, the use of telehealth has become an essential tool, with an overall increase in non-face-to-face visits, including in primary care pediatrics. In this context, telemedicine, when used in primary care pediatrics, can be an effective means of improving families' access to medical care. Currently, in Catalonia, telemedicine involving patients and health professionals is used in pediatric primary care through telephone consultation and asynchronous teleconsultation (eConsulta). Video consultation is in practice not used, although it could have different applications. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a video consultation process with physical examination in acute pediatric pathology in rural areas among primary care professionals. In addition, the level of satisfaction with these remote consultations will be assessed from the perspective of both the users and the health care professionals. METHODS We will conduct a prospective experimental study to analyze the possibility of using video consultation in pediatric acute care in primary care in central Catalonia (Spain). A minimum of 170 children aged between 0 and 14 years attending the primary care center (PCC) for acute illness for a period of 1 year will be included in the study. Initially, the telemetric visit, including a physical examination, will include a nurse at the patient and family's side and a pediatrician who will participate remotely. Subsequently, the pediatrician will visit the patient in person and the physical examination and diagnosis made during the remote visit will be compared with the physical examination and diagnosis of the face-to-face visit, which is considered the gold standard. RESULTS Recruitment was planned to begin in the second half of 2023 and continue for at least 1 year. It is anticipated to be a good resource for a variety of acute pediatric conditions in primary care. The evaluation will focus on the feasibility of performing live remote visits and comparing their diagnostic accuracy with that of face-to-face visits. CONCLUSIONS We believe that this study could provide evidence on the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of video consultation in pediatric acute primary care in a rural setting, as well as on satisfaction with video consultations among both users and professionals. If proven useful in addressing the acute needs of children in a variety of situations, it could become a digital health tool that improves the overall pediatric primary care service in rural areas, for both families and professionals. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/52946.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castillo-Rodenas
- Centre d'Atenció Primària Cardona, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, Cardona, Spain
| | - Josep Vidal-Alaball
- Cap de la Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain
| | - Núria Solanas-Bacardit
- Centre d'Atenció Primària Cardona, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, Cardona, Spain
| | - Clotilde Farràs-Company
- Direcció del Centre d'Atenció Primària Cardona, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, Cardona, Spain
| | - Aïna Fuster-Casanovas
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
| | - Queralt Miró Catalina
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
| | - Francesc López Seguí
- Chair in ICT and Health, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, University of Vic–Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain
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Rodler S, Ramacciotti LS, Maas M, Mokhtar D, Hershenhouse J, De Castro Abreu AL, Fuchs G, Stief CG, Gill IS, Cacciamani GE. The Impact of Telemedicine in Reducing the Carbon Footprint in Health Care: A Systematic Review and Cumulative Analysis of 68 Million Clinical Consultations. Eur Urol Focus 2023; 9:873-887. [PMID: 38036339 DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Carbon footprint (CF) has emerged as an important factor when assessing health care interventions. OBJECTIVE To investigate the reduction in CF for patients utilizing telemedicine. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were queried for studies describing telemedicine consultation and reporting on carbon emissions saved and the carbon emissions of telemedicine devices as primary outcomes, and travel distance and time and cost savings and safety as secondary outcomes. Outcomes were tabulated and calculated per consultation. Carbon emissions and travel distances were also calculated for each total study cohort. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and the Oxford level of evidence was determined. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS A total of 48 studies met the inclusion criteria, covering 68 465 481 telemedicine consultations and savings of 691 825 tons of CO2 emissions and 3 318 464 047 km of travel distance. Carbon assessment was mostly reported as the estimated distance saved using a conversion factor. Medical specialties used telemedicine to connect specialists with patients at home (n = 25) or at a local center (n = 6). Surgical specialties used telemedicine for virtual preoperative assessment (n = 9), follow-up (n = 4), and general consultation (n = 4). The savings per consultation were 21.9-632.17 min and $1.85-$325. More studies focused on the COVID-19 time frame (n = 33) than before the pandemic (n = 15). The studies are limited by calculations, mostly for the travel distance for carbon savings, and appropriate follow-up to analyze the real impact on travel and appointments. CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine reduces the CF of the health care sector. Expanding the use of telemedicine and educating providers and patients could further decrease CO2 emissions and save both money and time. PATIENT SUMMARY We reviewed 48 studies on the use of telemedicine. We found that people used their cars less and saved time and money, as well as CO2 emissions, if they used teleconsultations. Some studies only looked at how much CO2 from driving was saved, so there might be more to learn about the benefits of teleconsultations. The use of online doctor appointments is not only good for our planet but also helps patients in saving time and money. This review is registered on the PROSPERO database for systematic reviews (CRD42023456839).
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin Rodler
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Urology, University Hospital of LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Storino Ramacciotti
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marissa Maas
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Mokhtar
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jacob Hershenhouse
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andre Luis De Castro Abreu
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gerhard Fuchs
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christian G Stief
- Department of Urology, University Hospital of LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Inderbir S Gill
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Giovanni E Cacciamani
- USC Institute of Urology and Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Artificial Intelligence Center, USC Institute of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Tenforde AS, Alexander JJ, Alexander M, Annaswamy TM, Carr CJ, Chang P, Díaz M, Iaccarino MA, Lewis SB, Millett C, Pandit S, Ramirez CP, Rinaldi R, Roop M, Slocum CS, Tekmyster G, Venesy D, Verduzco-Gutierrez M, Zorowitz RD, Rowland TR. Telehealth in PM&R: Past, present, and future in clinical practice and opportunities for translational research. PM R 2023; 15:1156-1174. [PMID: 37354209 DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Telehealth refers to the use of telecommunication devices and other forms of technology to provide services outside of the traditional in-person health care delivery system. Growth in the use of telehealth creates new challenges and opportunities for implementation in clinical practice. The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) assembled an expert group to develop a white paper to examine telehealth innovation in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). The resultant white paper summarizes how telehealth is best used in the field of PM&R while highlighting current knowledge deficits and technological limitations. The report identifies new and transformative opportunities for PM&R to advance translational research related to telehealth and enhance patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Tenforde
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua J Alexander
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marcalee Alexander
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Thiru M Annaswamy
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Conley J Carr
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Philip Chang
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Mary A Iaccarino
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen B Lewis
- Physiatry-Pharmacy Collaborative, NJ Institute for Successful Aging, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Carolyn Millett
- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rosemont, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | - Robert Rinaldi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Megan Roop
- American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rosemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Chloe S Slocum
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gene Tekmyster
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Richard D Zorowitz
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Soares AL, Buttigieg SC, Bak B, McFadden S, Hughes C, McClure P, Couto JG, Bravo I. A Review of the Applicability of Current Green Practices in Healthcare Facilities. Int J Health Policy Manag 2023; 12:6947. [PMID: 37579377 PMCID: PMC10461902 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2023.6947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular economy (CE) has raised great interest as a concept and as a development model worldwide. This concept aims to provide a substitute for the linear economic model, which was based on production and consumption, continuous growth, and resources depletion. CE allows a greener economy with sustainable development and promotes more balanced societies. The healthcare sector is a major contributor to the climate crisis, with a carbon footprint representing 4.4% of global net emissions. It is thus essential to rethink the applicability of CE in healthcare. METHODS We conducted a scoping review guided by the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework and utilised PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist. A systematic search from MEDLINE complete, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases published between 1992 and 2022. RESULTS Through database searching a total of 1018 records were identified and 475 duplicates were removed. From the total search, 543 articles were screened by title/abstract according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After screening, 38 full-text articles were selected and assessed for eligibility. Forty-seven additional records were also identified through other sources and screened for eligibility. Other sources included: 12 articles from snowballing of previous papers; 9 articles following peer-reviewers suggestions; 19 reports from relevant organisations in CE and healthcare; two webpage, and one book. CONCLUSION Specific areas were identified where hospitals could reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and consequently their negative environmental impact, namely through waste management, energy, water, transportation/travel, hospital design, food optimisation, green procurement, and behaviour. Also, lack of staff awareness and knowledge of the environmental impact of healthcare, and hospitals sustainability were identified as major contributors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Soares
- Medical Physics Service, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra C. Buttigieg
- Department of Health Systems Management and Leadership, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Bartosz Bak
- Radiotherapy Department II, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Electroradiology, University of Medical Science, Poznan, Poland
| | - Sonya McFadden
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK
| | - Ciara Hughes
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK
| | - Patricia McClure
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK
| | - Jose Guilherme Couto
- Radiography Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Isabel Bravo
- Medical Physics and Radiobiology Group, Research Center (IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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11
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Gómez-Morales A, Coon D, Joseph RP, Pipe T. Behind the Scenes of a Technologically Enhanced Intervention for Caregivers of People With Dementia: Protocol for a Feasibility and Acceptability Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e42655. [PMID: 37000480 PMCID: PMC10131762 DOI: 10.2196/42655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease affects 55 million people worldwide. As the disease progresses, these individuals require a devoted caregiver, often a family member, who provides evolving complex care. Caregivers can experience a variety of ongoing stressors, resulting in reductions in caregiver emotional well-being (and other quality-of-life indicators). Information and communication technologies provide an excellent opportunity to train caregivers remotely and help them to manage these stressors and related distress. OBJECTIVE This protocol describes the theoretical rationale, study design, and methods of a new, technologically enhanced psychoeducational skill-building intervention for caregivers of people with dementia that includes a virtual reality component. METHODS Through Alzheimer's Eyes is a 4-week, single-arm, pre-post test pilot study consisting of 4 sessions of 90 minutes each that are delivered by videoconferencing. These sessions include a weekly virtual reality experience characterizing the journey of an older Latina with Alzheimer's disease from her perspective to help caregivers see through the eyes of a person with dementia. The 4 sessions cover the skill-training topics of communication, managing challenging behaviors and unhelpful thoughts, the importance of self-care, and mindfulness-all of which are key components designed to reduce stress and distress in family caregivers. Individual interviews conducted before and after the intervention gather participant insights into the intervention, evaluate its feasibility and acceptability, and assess its impact on key outcomes. RESULTS Data collection for the study started in January 2022, and the results are expected to be submitted for publication in the second half of 2023. Twenty caregivers from the United States have completed the workshop to date. Preliminary data gathered from these participants support the intervention's feasibility and acceptability. CONCLUSIONS Through Alzheimer's Eyes leverages existing technology combined with psychoeducational skill building to help caregivers manage their stress, regardless of their location. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/42655.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Gómez-Morales
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - David Coon
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Rodney P Joseph
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Teri Pipe
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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12
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Desterbecq C, Tubeuf S. Inclusion of Environmental Spillovers in Applied Economic Evaluations of Healthcare Products. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023:S1098-3015(23)00106-7. [PMID: 36967027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Climate change and environmental factors have an impact on human health and the ecosystem. The healthcare sector is responsible for substantial environmental pollution. Most healthcare systems rely on economic evaluation to select efficient alternatives. Nevertheless, environmental spillovers of healthcare treatments are rarely considered whether it is from a cost or a health perspective. The objective of this article is to identify economic evaluations of healthcare products and guidelines that have included any environmental dimensions. METHODS Electronic searches of 3 literature databases (PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE) and official health agencies guidelines were conducted. Documents were considered eligible if they assessed the environmental spillovers within the economic evaluation of a healthcare product or provided any recommendations on the inclusion of environmental spillovers in the health technology assessment process. RESULTS From the 3878 records identified, 62 documents were deemed eligible and 18 were published in 2021 and 2022. The environmental spillovers considered were carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, water or energy consumption, and waste disposal. The environmental spillovers were mainly assessed using the lifecycle assessment (LCA) approach while the economic analysis was mostly limited to costs. Only 9 documents, including the guidelines of 2 health agencies presented theoretical and practical ways to include environmental spillovers into the decision-making process. CONCLUSIONS There is a clear lack of methods on whether environmental spillovers should be included in health economic evaluation and how this should be done. If healthcare systems want to reduce their environment footprint, the development of methodology which integrates environmental dimensions in health technology assessment will be key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Desterbecq
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain (UClouvain), Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Sandy Tubeuf
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain (UClouvain), Brussels, Belgium; Institute of Economic and Social Research (IRES), Université Catholique de Louvain (UClouvain), Brussels, Belgium
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13
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Berniak-Woźny J, Rataj M. Towards Green and Sustainable Healthcare: A Literature Review and Research Agenda for Green Leadership in the Healthcare Sector. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:908. [PMID: 36673663 PMCID: PMC9858978 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The health sector is one of the keys to sustainable development. Although it is directly related to only one Sustainable Development Goal (Goal 3, "Ensuring a healthy life and promoting well-being at all ages"), the sector itself, which aims to protect health, is paradoxically at the same time the main emitter of environmental pollutants that have a negative impact on health itself. Therefore, sustainability has become a key priority for health sector organizations, and leadership in this area is essential at all levels. Scientific research plays a particular role here, helping to more clearly define the links between environmental sustainability and the health effects of a polluted environment and climate change as well as indicating the direction of actions needed and disseminating good practices that can help accelerate the adoption of efforts towards climate neutrality and sustainable development of health sector organizations. The aim of this article is to present the current state of the art and future research scenarios in the field of green and sustainable healthcare through a literature review by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to perform a bibliometric analysis of papers published in 2012-2022. The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database is used for this purpose. A total of 144 papers are included for analysis, categorized based on eight fields: author(s), title, year of publication, country, journal, scientific category, and number of citations. Based on the results, themes for future research on green leadership in the healthcare sector are identified and recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Berniak-Woźny
- Department of Management, University of Information Technology and Management, 35-225 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Rataj
- Department of Cognitive Science and Mathematical Modeling, University of Information Technology and Management, 35-225 Rzeszow, Poland
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14
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Schmitz-Grosz K, Sommer-Meyer C, Berninger P, Weiszflog E, Jungmichel N, Feierabend D, Battegay E. A Telemedicine Center Reduces the Comprehensive Carbon Footprint in Primary Care: A Monocenter, Retrospective Study. J Prim Care Community Health 2023; 14:21501319231215020. [PMID: 38041467 PMCID: PMC10693788 DOI: 10.1177/21501319231215020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telemedicine reduces greenhouse gas emissions (CO2eq); however, results of studies vary extremely in dependence of the setting. This is the first study to focus on effects of telemedicine on CO2 imprint of primary care. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive retrospective study to analyze total CO2eq emissions of kilometers (km) saved by telemedical consultations. We categorized prevented and provoked patient journeys, including pharmacy visits. We calculated CO2eq emission savings through primary care telemedical consultations in comparison to those that would have occurred without telemedicine. We used the comprehensive footprint approach, including all telemedical cases and the CO2eq emissions by the telemedicine center infrastructure. In order to determine the net ratio of CO2eq emissions avoided by the telemedical center, we calculated the emissions associated with the provision of telemedical consultations (including also the total consumption of physicians' workstations) and subtracted them from the total of avoided CO2eq emissions. Furthermore, we also considered patient cases in our calculation that needed to have an in-person visit after the telemedical consultation. We calculated the savings taking into account the source of the consumed energy (renewable or not). RESULTS 433 890 telemedical consultations overall helped save 1 800 391 km in travel. On average, 1 telemedical consultation saved 4.15 km of individual transport and consumed 0.15 kWh. We detected savings in almost every cluster of patients. After subtracting the CO2eq emissions caused by the telemedical center, the data reveal savings of 247.1 net tons of CO2eq emissions in total and of 0.57 kg CO2eq per telemedical consultation. The comprehensive footprint approach thus indicated a reduced footprint due to telemedicine in primary care. DISCUSSION Integrating a telemedical center into the health care system reduces the CO2 footprint of primary care medicine; this is true even in a densely populated country with little use of cars like Switzerland. The insight of this study complements previous studies that focused on narrower aspects of telemedical consultations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - David Feierabend
- Medgate AG, Basel, Switzerland
- Reutlingen University, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Edouard Battegay
- University Hospital Basel, Merian Iselin Clinic, Basel, Switzerland
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15
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Pickard Strange M, Booth A, Akiki M, Wieringa S, Shaw SE. The role of virtual consulting in developing environmentally sustainable healthcare: a systematic literature review (Preprint). J Med Internet Res 2022; 25:e44823. [PMID: 37133914 DOI: 10.2196/44823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health systems globally need to rapidly set and achieve targets for reaching net zero carbon emissions. Virtual consulting (including video- and telephone-based consulting) is regarded as one means by which this might be achieved, largely through reduced patient travel. Little is currently known about the ways in which forms of virtual consulting might contribute to the net zero agenda or how countries may develop and implement programs at scale that can support increased environmental sustainability. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we asked, What is the impact of virtual consulting on environmental sustainability in health care? and What can we learn from current evaluations that can inform future reductions in carbon emissions? METHODS We conducted a systematic review of published literature according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We searched the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus databases using key terms relating to "carbon footprint," "environmental impact," "telemedicine," and "remote consulting," using citation tracking to identify additional articles. The articles were screened, and full texts that met the inclusion criteria were obtained. Data on the approach to carbon footprinting reported reductions in emissions, and the opportunities and challenges associated with the environmental sustainability of virtual consultations were extracted into a spreadsheet, analyzed thematically, and theorized using the Planning and Evaluating Remote Consultation Services framework to consider the various interacting influences, including environmental sustainability, that shape the adoption of virtual consulting services. RESULTS A total of 1672 papers were identified. After removing duplicates and screening for eligibility, 23 papers that focused on a range of virtual consulting equipment and platforms across different clinical conditions and services were included. The focus on the environmental sustainability potential of virtual consulting was unanimously reported through carbon savings achieved by a reduction in travel related to face-to-face appointments. The shortlisted papers used a range of methods and assumptions to determine carbon savings, reporting these using different units and across varied sample sizes. This limited the potential for comparison. Despite methodological inconsistencies, all papers concluded that virtual consulting significantly reduced carbon emissions. However, there was limited consideration of wider factors (eg, patient suitability, clinical indication, and organizational infrastructure) influencing the adoption, use, and spread of virtual consultations and the carbon footprint of the entire clinical pathway in which the virtual consultation was provided (eg, risk of missed diagnoses from virtual consultations that result in the need for subsequent in-person consultations or admissions). CONCLUSIONS There is overwhelming evidence that virtual consulting can reduce health care carbon emissions, largely through reducing travel related to in-person appointments. However, the current evidence fails to look at system factors associated with implementing virtual health care delivery and wider research into carbon emissions across the entire clinical pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Pickard Strange
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Booth
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Akiki
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sietse Wieringa
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sara E Shaw
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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16
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Muschol J, Heinrich M, Heiss C, Hernandez AM, Knapp G, Repp H, Schneider H, Thormann U, Uhlar J, Unzeitig K, Gissel C. Economic and Environmental Impact of Digital Health App Video Consultations in Follow-up Care for Patients in Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery in Germany: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e42839. [PMID: 36333935 PMCID: PMC9732751 DOI: 10.2196/42839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the Riyadh Declaration, digital health technologies were prioritized in many countries to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital health apps for telemedicine and video consultations help reduce potential disease spread in routine health care, including follow-up care in orthopedic and trauma surgery. In addition to the satisfaction, efficiency, and safety of telemedicine, its economic and environmental effects are highly relevant to decision makers, particularly for the goal of reaching carbon neutrality of health care systems. OBJECTIVE This study aims to provide the first comprehensive health economic and environmental analysis of video consultations in follow-up care after knee and shoulder interventions in an orthopedic and trauma surgery department of a German university hospital. The analysis is conducted from a societal perspective. We analyze both economic and environmental impacts of video consultations, taking into account the goal of carbon neutrality for the German health care system by 2030. METHODS We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing follow-up care with digital health app video consultations (intervention group) to conventional face-to-face consultations in the clinic (control group). Economic impact included the analysis of travel and time costs and production losses. Examination of the environmental impact comprised the emissions of greenhouse gases, carbon monoxide, volatile hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulates, and the calculation of environmental costs. Sensitivity analysis included calculations with a higher cost per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, which gives equal weight to the welfare of present and future generations. RESULTS Data from 52 patients indicated that, from the patients' point of view, telemedicine helped reduce travel costs, time costs, and production losses, resulting in mean cost savings of €76.52 per video consultation. In addition, emissions of 11.248 kg of greenhouse gases, 0.070 kg of carbon monoxide, 0.011 kg of volatile hydrocarbons, 0.028 kg of nitrogen oxides, and 0.0004 kg of particulates could be saved per patient through avoided travel. This resulted in savings of environmental costs between €3.73 and €9.53 per patient. CONCLUSIONS We presented the first comprehensive analysis of economic and environmental effects of telemedicine in the follow-up care of patients in orthopedic and trauma surgery in Germany. Video consultations were found to reduce the environmental footprint of follow-up care; saved travel costs, travel time, and time costs for patients; and helped to lower production losses. Our findings can support the decision-making on the use of digital health during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, providing decision makers with data for both economic and environmental effects. Thanks to the pragmatic design of our study, our findings can be applied to a wide range of clinical contexts and potential digital health applications that substitute outpatient hospital visits with video consultations. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00023445; https://tinyurl.com/4pcvhz4n.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Muschol
- Department of Health Economics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Heinrich
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Heiss
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alher Mauricio Hernandez
- Bioinstrumentation and Clinical Engineering Research Group, Bioengineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gero Knapp
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Holger Repp
- Department of Health Economics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Henning Schneider
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Thormann
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johanna Uhlar
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kai Unzeitig
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Gissel
- Department of Health Economics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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17
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Lokmic-Tomkins Z, Davies S, Block LJ, Cochrane L, Dorin A, von Gerich H, Lozada-Perezmitre E, Reid L, Peltonen LM. Assessing the carbon footprint of digital health interventions: a scoping review. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2022; 29:2128-2139. [PMID: 36314391 PMCID: PMC9667173 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocac196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Integration of environmentally sustainable digital health interventions requires robust evaluation of their carbon emission life-cycle before implementation in healthcare. This scoping review surveys the evidence on available environmental assessment frameworks, methods, and tools to evaluate the carbon footprint of digital health interventions for environmentally sustainable healthcare. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid). PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus (which indexes IEEE Xplore, Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science and ACM databases), Compendex, and Inspec databases were searched with no time or language constraints. The Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA_SCR), Joanna Briggs Scoping Review Framework, and template for intervention description and replication (TiDiER) checklist were used to structure and report the findings. RESULTS From 3299 studies screened, data was extracted from 13 full-text studies. No standardised methods or validated tools were identified to systematically determine the environmental sustainability of a digital health intervention over its full life-cycle from conception to realisation. Most studies (n = 8) adapted publicly available carbon calculators to estimate telehealth travel-related emissions. Others adapted these tools to examine the environmental impact of electronic health records (n = 2), e-prescriptions and e-referrals (n = 1), and robotic surgery (n = 1). One study explored optimising the information system electricity consumption of telemedicine. No validated systems-based approach to evaluation and validation of digital health interventions could be identified. CONCLUSION There is a need to develop standardised, validated methods and tools for healthcare environments to assist stakeholders to make informed decisions about reduction of carbon emissions from digital health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shauna Davies
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Lorraine J Block
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lindy Cochrane
- Brownless Biomedical Library, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alan Dorin
- Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hanna von Gerich
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Lisa Reid
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
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18
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Rahimi-Ardabili H, Magrabi F, Coiera E. Digital health for climate change mitigation and response: a scoping review. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2022; 29:2140-2152. [PMID: 35960171 PMCID: PMC9667157 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocac134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Climate change poses a major threat to the operation of global health systems, triggering large scale health events, and disrupting normal system operation. Digital health may have a role in the management of such challenges and in greenhouse gas emission reduction. This scoping review explores recent work on digital health responses and mitigation approaches to climate change. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched Medline up to February 11, 2022, using terms for digital health and climate change. Included articles were categorized into 3 application domains (mitigation, infectious disease, or environmental health risk management), and 6 technical tasks (data sensing, monitoring, electronic data capture, modeling, decision support, and communication). The review was PRISMA-ScR compliant. RESULTS The 142 included publications reported a wide variety of research designs. Publication numbers have grown substantially in recent years, but few come from low- and middle-income countries. Digital health has the potential to reduce health system greenhouse gas emissions, for example by shifting to virtual services. It can assist in managing changing patterns of infectious diseases as well as environmental health events by timely detection, reducing exposure to risk factors, and facilitating the delivery of care to under-resourced areas. DISCUSSION While digital health has real potential to help in managing climate change, research remains preliminary with little real-world evaluation. CONCLUSION Significant acceleration in the quality and quantity of digital health climate change research is urgently needed, given the enormity of the global challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hania Rahimi-Ardabili
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Farah Magrabi
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Enrico Coiera
- Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
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Schmidt L, Bohnet-Joschko S. Planetary Health and Hospitals' Contribution-A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192013536. [PMID: 36294116 PMCID: PMC9603437 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is one of the greatest global threats for planetary and human health. This leads to new challenges for public health. Hospitals emit large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) in their healthcare delivery through transportation, waste and other resources and are considered as key players in reducing healthcare's environmental footprint. The aim of this scoping review is to provide the state of research on hospitals' carbon footprint and to determine their contribution to mitigating emissions. We conducted a systematic literature search in three databases for studies related to measurement and actions to reduce GHG emissions in hospitals. We identified 21 studies, the oldest being published in 2012, and the most recent study in 2021. Eight studies focused on GHG emissions hospital-wide, while thirteen studies addressed hospital-based departments. Climate actions in the areas of waste and transportation lead to significant reductions in GHG emissions. Digital transformation is a key factor in implementing climate actions and promoting equity in healthcare. The increasing number of studies published over time indicates the importance of the topic. The results suggest a need for standardization of measurement and performance indicators on climate actions to mitigate GHG emissions.
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Morcillo Serra C, Aroca Tanarro A, Cummings CM, Jimenez Fuertes A, Tomás Martínez JF. Impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions due to the use of telemedicine. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12507. [PMID: 35869274 PMCID: PMC9307763 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16864-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital health can reduce CO2 emissions thanks to telemedicine and access to digital test results and medical reports. However, the environmental impact of digital health activity is not well known. Here, we show that telemedicine reduces CO2 emissions. We found a net total of 6,655 tons of CO2 emissions decrease through a reduction in patient travel to surgeries and medical clinics thanks to the alternatives of digital appointments and digital access to test results and medical reports, which avoid the need to travel to a clinic for a face-to-face visit or to pick up printed results or reports. During 2020, a total of 640,122 digital appointments were carried out by the health care company, which avoided 1,957 net tons of CO2 emissions, while patients downloaded 3,064,646 digital medical reports through the company portal, which avoided an additional 4,698 net tons of CO2 emissions. Our results demonstrate how digital appointments and digital reports, reduce CO2 emissions by reducing the need for patient travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Morcillo Serra
- Medical Direction, Sanitas Digital Hospital, Ribera del Loira, 52, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana Aroca Tanarro
- Medical Direction, Sanitas Digital Hospital, Ribera del Loira, 52, Madrid, Spain
| | - Catherine Mary Cummings
- Corporate Affairs Department, Sanitas & Bupa Europe and Latam, Ribera del Loira, 52, Madrid, Spain
| | - Araceli Jimenez Fuertes
- Corporate Affairs Department, Sanitas & Bupa Europe and Latam, Ribera del Loira, 52, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Maria MS, Silvia AN, Beatriz DG, Andrew D, Guillermo PF. Health care in rural areas: proposal of a new telemedicine program assisted from the reference health centers, for a sustainable digitization and its contribution to the carbon footprint reduction. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09812. [PMID: 35800252 PMCID: PMC9254526 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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22
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Lange O, Plath J, Dziggel TF, Karpa DF, Keil M, Becker T, Rogowski WH. A Transparency Checklist for Carbon Footprint Calculations Applied within a Systematic Review of Virtual Care Interventions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127474. [PMID: 35742724 PMCID: PMC9223517 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Increasing concerns about climate change imply that decisions on the digitization of healthcare should consider evidence about its carbon footprint (CF). This study aims to develop a transparency catalogue for reporting CF calculations, to compare results, and to assess the transparency (reporting quality) of the current evidence of virtual care (VC) intervention. We developed a checklist of transparency criteria based on the consolidation of three established standards/norms for CF calculation. We conducted a systematic review of primary studies written in English or German on the CF of VC interventions to check applicability. Based on our checklist, we extracted methodological information. We compared the results and calculated a transparency score. The checklist comprises 22 items in the aim, scope, data and analysis categories. Twenty-three studies out of 1466 records were included, mostly addressing telemedicine. The mean transparency score was 38% (minimum 14%, maximum 68%). On average, 148 kg carbon dioxide equivalents per patient were saved. Digitization may have co-benefits, improving care and reducing the healthcare CF. However, the evidence for this is weak, and CF reports are heterogeneous. Our transparency checklist may serve as a reference for developing a standard to assess the CF of virtual and other healthcare and public health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Lange
- Department of Health Care Management, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, Health Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; (M.K.); (W.H.R.)
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Julian Plath
- Professional Public Decision Making, Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; (J.P.); (T.F.D.); (T.B.)
| | - Timo F. Dziggel
- Professional Public Decision Making, Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; (J.P.); (T.F.D.); (T.B.)
| | - David F. Karpa
- Faculty of Business Studies and Economics, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany;
| | - Mattis Keil
- Department of Health Care Management, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, Health Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; (M.K.); (W.H.R.)
| | - Tom Becker
- Professional Public Decision Making, Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; (J.P.); (T.F.D.); (T.B.)
| | - Wolf H. Rogowski
- Department of Health Care Management, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, Health Sciences, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany; (M.K.); (W.H.R.)
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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Wolf RM, Abramoff MD, Channa R, Tava C, Clarida W, Lehmann HP. Potential reduction in healthcare carbon footprint by autonomous artificial intelligence. NPJ Digit Med 2022; 5:62. [PMID: 35551275 PMCID: PMC9098499 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00605-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Risa M Wolf
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael D Abramoff
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
- Digital Diagnostics, Coralville, IA, USA.
| | - Roomasa Channa
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Chris Tava
- Digital Diagnostics, Coralville, IA, USA
| | | | - Harold P Lehmann
- Department of Health Informatics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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24
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Nohra RG, Chaaban T, Sacre H, Salameh P, Aoun Bacha Z, Le Bon Chami B, Abou Rizk F, Makhlouf P, Rothan-Tondeur M. Evaluating the Feasibility and Pretesting the Impact of an Educational and Telemonitoring Program for COPD Patients in Lebanon. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2022; 17:949-965. [PMID: 35510164 PMCID: PMC9058009 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s339592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and pretest the effectiveness of an educational and telemonitoring program in a sample of Lebanese COPD patients to inform the design of a randomized study. Patients and Methods This study recruited a convenient sample of 15 patients from the pulmonology departments of four hospitals. Validated questionnaires were adapted to meet the context of this study in terms of adequacy, acceptability, adoption, fidelity, and cost. The impact of this program on quality of life and anxiety was measured by the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), the COPD Clinical Questionnaire (CCQ), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). All measurements were performed before and after the intervention. Results All 15 participants who agreed to participate in this intervention found the program adequate and acceptable for addressing COPD-related issues. Regarding adoption, all participants declared having no difficulty explaining to others the content of the education sessions and that they would suggest this program to other COPD patients. In terms of effectiveness, six patients had improving in quality of life scores, and five patients had lower anxiety and depression scores compared to baseline measures. A knowledge assessment was done at the end of each session, showing an increase in knowledge for all participants. Skills were also assessed at the end of the program. Participants made no errors that had an impact on their health. Regarding the cost, it was difficult to evaluate the relative cost of this intervention given the economic situation in the country. Conclusion This study is the first to evaluate the application of telehealth to optimize COPD management in Lebanon. The approach proposed gave insights into the different obstacles and facilitating factors for implementing such a project to allow a large-scale work on the adaptation of the COPD patient to his disease in Lebanon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Georges Nohra
- Chaire Recherche Sciences Infirmières, Laboratoire Educations et Promotion de la santé, LEPS, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Villetaneuse, France
- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
- Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban, INSPECT-LB, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Taghrid Chaaban
- Chaire Recherche Sciences Infirmières, Laboratoire Educations et Promotion de la santé, LEPS, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Villetaneuse, France
- Faculty of Public Health, Islamic University of Lebanon, Khaldeh - Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hala Sacre
- Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban, INSPECT-LB, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pascale Salameh
- Institut National de Santé Publique, d’Épidémiologie Clinique et de Toxicologie-Liban, INSPECT-LB, Beirut, Lebanon
- School of Medicine, Lebanese Amerian University, Byblos, Lebanon
- Department of Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, 2417, Cyprus
| | - Zeina Aoun Bacha
- Department of Pulmonary Disease,Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Fadi Abou Rizk
- Department of Pulmonary Disease, American University Medical Center Rizk Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Paul Makhlouf
- Department of Pulmonary Disease, Notre Dame du Liban Hospital, Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Monique Rothan-Tondeur
- Chaire Recherche Sciences Infirmières, Laboratoire Educations et Promotion de la santé, LEPS, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Villetaneuse, France
- Chaire Recherche Sciences Infirmières, AP-HP, Paris, France
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Donald N, Irukulla S. Greenhouse Gas Emission Savings in Relation to Telemedicine and Associated Patient Benefits: A Systematic Review. Telemed J E Health 2022; 28:1555-1563. [PMID: 35446668 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Telemedicine is a rapidly expanding service in the digitization of health care systems. Recently emphasis has been placed on the decarbonization of health care systems with National and World Health Organization initiatives aimed at carbon neutrality toward the mid-21st century. This study investigates greenhouse gas emissions related to telemedicine, its potential role in achieving carbon neutrality and its role in determining policy. We further investigate patient benefits related to telemedicine. Methods: A systematic review was conducted of the PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL, and HMIC databases. Eligibility of studies was determined by predefined criteria. Results: A total of 31 studies were identified totaling over 57,000 patients. Carbon savings ranged from 0.69 kg CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) to 893 kg CO2e per encounter. Distances saved also ranged from 6.1 to 3,386 km. Further analysis of 18 included studies was conducted for cost savings that ranged from €1.73 in fuel costs to over U.S. $900 in travel related expenses. Similarly, 15 included studies were analyzed for time savings, which ranged from 38 min to 24 h. Conclusions: There are substantial carbon savings to be made with telemedicine systems. Furthermore, there are substantial benefits to patients in terms of both time savings and cost savings. Rural and isolated communities or patients needing tertiary or quaternary care may be a particular cohort that might benefit disproportionally from telemedicine and is an area where the largest per capita emission savings can potentially be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Donald
- West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, United Kingdom
| | - Shashi Irukulla
- Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom
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26
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Bozoudis V, Sebos I, Tsakanikas A. Action plan for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in the hospital-based health care of the Hellenic Army. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:221. [PMID: 35211813 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09871-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is a growing threat for human health and well-being, one that will seriously impact and potentially disrupt all economic sectors and supply chains, such as trade, tourism, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The environmental impact of the delivery of medical and hospital care, which generates its own greenhouse gas emissions, needs to be examined and analyzed in detail in order to design and implement effective mitigation actions and measures. Hospital internal energy use processes include the energy consumed for hospital operation, such as lighting, heating, cooking, waste treatment, and other functions associated with the logistical and operational support of hospitals. The present research work, which follows the assessment undertaken in a previous study of the transport activities of the 401 Military General Hospital of Athens (401 MGHA), focuses on the carbon footprint of the stationary emission sources of the 401 MGHA; it serves as a second step in the development of an action plan for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in the hospital-based health care of the Hellenic (Greek) Army. A portfolio of energy saving and emission reduction actions is proposed and mapped according to their abatement cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential. The highest decrease of GHG emissions is expected to be materialized by the decarbonization of the Greek power sector due to the lignite phase-out and increased share of low carbon fuels and renewable energy sources. Significant emission reduction potential could also be achieved by the replacement of face-to-face hospital visits by telemedicine, primarily by reducing transport-associated emissions. Furthermore, a number of key performance indicators (KPI) are proposed as simple and easily monitored metrics of the hospital's performance towards its sustainable low carbon objectives. Specific KPIs per mitigation action are presented, as well as a general KPI that covers all mitigation actions and sources of emissions in the form of "tCO2eq per patient" or "tCO2eq per hospitalization day."
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Bozoudis
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Street, 15780, Zografou, Greece
| | - Ioannis Sebos
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Street, 15780, Zografou, Greece.
| | - Aggelos Tsakanikas
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Street, 15780, Zografou, Greece
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27
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Ravindrane R, Patel J. The environmental impacts of telemedicine in place of face-to-face patient care: a systematic review. Future Healthc J 2021; 9:28-33. [DOI: 10.7861/fhj.2021-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Filfilan A, Anract J, Chartier-Kastler E, Parra J, Vaessen C, de La Taille A, Roupret M, Pinar U. Positive environmental impact of remote teleconsultation in urology during the COVID-19 pandemic in a highly populated area. Prog Urol 2021; 31:1133-1138. [PMID: 34454847 PMCID: PMC8387203 DOI: 10.1016/j.purol.2021.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a serious environmental issue. The healthcare sector is an important emitter of GHGs. Our aim was to assess the environmental cost of teleconsultations in urology compared to face-to-face consultations. Materials and methods Prospective study of all patients who had a remote teleconsultation over a 2-week period during COVID-19 pandemic. Main outcome was the reduction in CO2e emissions related to teleconsultation compared to face-to-face consultation and was calculated as: total teleconsultation CO2e emissions–total face-to-face consultation CO2e emissions. Secondary outcome measures were the reduction in travel distance and travel time related to teleconsultation. Results Eighty patients were included. Face-to-face consultations would have resulted in 6699 km (4162 miles) of travel (83.7 km (52 miles) per patient). Cars were the usual means of transport. CO2e avoided due to lack of travel was calculated at 1.1 tonnes. Teleconsultation was responsible for 1.1 kg CO2e while face-to-face consultation emitted 0.5 kg of CO2e. Overall, the total reduction in GHGs with teleconsultation was 1141 kg CO2e, representing a 99% decrease in emissions. Total savings on transport were 974 € and savings on travel time were 112 h (1.4 h/patient). Conclusions Teleconsultation reduces the environmental impact of face-to-face consultations. The use of teleconsultation in our urology departments resulted in the avoidance of more than 6000 km of travel, equivalent to a reduction of 1.1 tonnes of CO2e. Teleconsultation should be considered for specific indications as the healthcare system attempts to become greener. Level of evidence 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Filfilan
- Sorbonne University, GRC 5 Predictive Onco-Uro, AP-HP, Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - J Anract
- Sorbonne University, GRC 5 Predictive Onco-Uro, AP-HP, Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - E Chartier-Kastler
- Sorbonne University, GRC 5 Predictive Onco-Uro, AP-HP, Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - J Parra
- Sorbonne University, GRC 5 Predictive Onco-Uro, AP-HP, Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - C Vaessen
- Sorbonne University, GRC 5 Predictive Onco-Uro, AP-HP, Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - A de La Taille
- Henri Mondor hôpital, urology, hôpitaux universitaires Henri Mondor, AP-HP, 94010 Créteil, France
| | - M Roupret
- Sorbonne University, GRC 5 Predictive Onco-Uro, AP-HP, Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - U Pinar
- Sorbonne University, GRC 5 Predictive Onco-Uro, AP-HP, Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, 75013 Paris, France
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Purohit A, Smith J, Hibble A. Does telemedicine reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare? A systematic review. Future Healthc J 2021; 8:e85-e91. [PMID: 33791483 DOI: 10.7861/fhj.2020-0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In the rapidly progressing field of telemedicine, there is a multitude of evidence assessing the effectiveness and financial costs of telemedicine projects; however, there is very little assessing the environmental impact despite the increasing threat of the climate emergency. This report provides a systematic review of the evidence on the carbon footprint of telemedicine. The identified papers unanimously report that telemedicine does reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare, primarily by reduction in transport-associated emissions. The carbon footprint savings range between 0.70-372 kg CO2e per consultation. However, these values are highly context specific. The carbon emissions produced from the use of the telemedicine systems themselves were found to be very low in comparison to emissions saved from travel reductions. This could have wide implications in reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare services globally. In order for telemedicine services to be successfully implemented, further research is necessary to determine context-specific considerations and potential rebound effects.
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30
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Allwright E, Abbott RA. Environmentally sustainable dermatology. Clin Exp Dermatol 2021; 46:807-813. [PMID: 33215752 DOI: 10.1111/ced.14516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In 2017, health and social care organizations contributed 6.3% of carbon emissions in England. Efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the National Health Service (NHS) have been broadly focused on reducing demand, through prevention and patient empowerment, and modifying supply side factors by focusing on lean care systems and low carbon alternatives. This narrative review concentrates on supply side factors to identify sustainable practices with a focus on actions that could be implemented in dermatology departments. For this study, a literature review was conducted In MEDLINE in April 2020. The search terms included 'environmental sustainability' and 'climate change' with 'dermatology', 'telemedicine', 'NHS', 'surgery' and 'operating theatres'. Out of 95 results, 20 were deemed relevant to the review. Although the review showed that there is clearly growing interest in environmental sustainability, the identified literature lacked examples of comprehensive implementation and evaluation of initiatives. The literature discussed distinct areas including transport, waste management and procurement as part of a lean healthcare system. A number of papers highlighted the potential contribution of carbon-reducing actions without citing verifiable outcome data. This narrative review highlights the need for detailed environmental impact assessments of treatment options in dermatology, in tandem with economic analysis. In conclusion, we have identified a clear need for evidence-based guidance setting out implementable actions with identifiable benefits achievable within local clinical teams. This will require engagement between clinicians, patients and healthcare organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Allwright
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - R A Abbott
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
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31
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The Development of a CO2 Emission Coefficient for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles with Different Road Slope Conditions Using Multiple Linear Regression, and Considering the Health Effects. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12176994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The current studies on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the impacts on public health focus mainly on evaluating CO2 emissions from two types of emission sources. The first is a fixed source type from industrial plants, which can be controlled or easily evaluated. The second is a mobile source type from the transport sector, especially from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), which produce high emissions. However, the common methods of evaluation of the average value of CO2 emissions per kilometer of a vehicle use a general Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) model that does not consider the topography or road conditions. This affects the accuracy of CO2 emission assessments and, in turn, affects the accuracy of any analysis needed to establish health policies and the management of public health within the affected area. In this paper, therefore, we present the development of emission coefficient calculations with varying topography conditions for MHDVs with consideration of the health effects on the populace. The study area was the Asian highway network in Thailand that passes through all regions and is geographically diverse. Data were collected from the Department of Highway’s records, global positioning system (GPS) and electronic control unit (ECU) with data consisting of road data, slope, distance, traffic level and vehicle weight, as well as fuel consumption along the transportation route. To analyze and map out the correlation of the CO2 emission coefficients for each road slope, we determined the coefficient of the CO2 emissions using multiple linear regression analysis and validated this using Huber–White robust standard errors for heteroscedasticity. This method was more cost-efficient and time-efficient compared to the conventional approaches. We also created CO2 emission maps with risk points for health effects, and we propose policy designs and plans to manage the traffic level in each of these areas prone to higher levels of such emissions.
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The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physicians' Use and Perception of Telehealth: The Case of Lebanon. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134866. [PMID: 32640652 PMCID: PMC7370008 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic forced physicians to quickly adapt and find ways to provide their usual offline services by using online tools. We aimed to understand how physicians adapted to the sudden need for telehealth and if their perception of telehealth changed due to their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. We interviewed five Lebanese physicians and thematically analyzed the interviews. We developed a questionnaire based on the analysis results and administered it online to physicians in Lebanon. In total, 140 responses were collected. We found that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians engaged in more telehealth activities in the realms of telemedicine, public awareness, continuing medical education, research, administration, and teaching. They also expanded their repertoire of information-technology tools. Our results also show that there was a significant shift in the physicians' perceptions, indicating greater openness and willingness to adopt telehealth services. However, a significant amount of skepticism and uncertainty regarding telemedicine remains, especially concerning its efficiency, safety, and the adequacy of existing regulations. Based on our findings, we offer recommendations for health IT policy makers, developers, and researchers, to sustain the continuity of telehealth activities beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Novara G, Checcucci E, Crestani A, Abrate A, Esperto F, Pavan N, De Nunzio C, Galfano A, Giannarini G, Gregori A, Liguori G, Bartoletti R, Porpiglia F, Scarpa RM, Simonato A, Trombetta C, Tubaro A, Ficarra V. Telehealth in Urology: A Systematic Review of the Literature. How Much Can Telemedicine Be Useful During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic? Eur Urol 2020; 78:786-811. [PMID: 32616405 PMCID: PMC7301090 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2020.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Context Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused increased interest in the application of telehealth to provide care without exposing patients and physicians to the risk of contagion. The urological literature on the topic is sparse. Objective To perform a systematic review of the literature and evaluate all the available studies on urological applications of telehealth. Evidence acquisition After registration on PROSPERO, we searched PubMed and Scopus databases to collect any kind of studies evaluating any telehealth interventions in any urological conditions. The National Toxicology Program/Office of Health Assessment and Translation Risk of Bias Rating Tool for Human and Animal Studies was used to estimate the risk of bias. A narrative synthesis was performed. Evidence synthesis We identified 45 studies (11 concerning prostate cancer [PCa], three hematuria management, six urinary stones, 14 urinary incontinence [UI], five urinary tract infections [UTIs], and six other conditions), including 12 randomized controlled trials. The available literature indicates that telemedicine has been implemented successfully in several common clinical scenarios, including the decision-making process following a diagnosis of nonmetastatic PCa, follow-up care of patients with localized PCa after curative treatments, initial diagnosis of hematuria, management diagnosis and follow-up care of uncomplicated urinary stones and uncomplicated UTIs, and initial evaluation, behavioral therapies, and pelvic floor muscle training in UI patients, as well as follow-up care after surgical treatments of stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. The methodological quality of most of the reports was good. Conclusions Telehealth has been implemented successfully in selected patients with PCa, UI, pelvic organ prolapse, uncomplicated urinary stones, and UTIs. Many urological conditions are suitable for telehealth, but more studies are needed on other highly prevalent urological malignant and benign conditions. Likely, the COVID-19 pandemic will give a significant boost to the use of telemedicine. More robust data on long-term efficacy, safety, and health economics are necessary. Patient summary The diffusion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections has recently increased the interest in telehealth, which is the adoption of telecommunication to deliver any health care activity. The available literature indicates that telemedicine has been adopted successfully in selected patients with several common clinical urological conditions, including prostate cancer, uncomplicated urinary stones, uncomplicated urinary infections, urinary incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse. Likely, the COVID-19 pandemic will give a significant boost to the use of telemedicine, but more robust data on long-term efficacy, safety, and costs are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Novara
- Department Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Urologic Unit, University of Padova, Italy.
| | - Enrico Checcucci
- Division of Urology, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Abrate
- Urology Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Esperto
- Department of Urology, Campus Biomedico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Pavan
- Department of Urology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cosimo De Nunzio
- Department of Urology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Giannarini
- Urology Unit, Academic Medical Centre, "Santa Maria della Misericordia" Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Liguori
- Department of Urology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bartoletti
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies, Urologic Unit, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Porpiglia
- Division of Urology, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | | | - Alchiede Simonato
- Urology Section, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Urology Unit, Department of Surgery, S. Croce e Carle Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Carlo Trombetta
- Department of Urology, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Tubaro
- Department of Urology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ficarra
- Department of Human and Pediatric Pathology "Gaetano Barresi", Urologic Section, University of Messina, Italy
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Primary Care Professionals' Acceptance of Medical Record-Based, Store and Forward Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine in Catalonia: Results of a Web-Based Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17114092. [PMID: 32521740 PMCID: PMC7313088 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17114092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
While telemedicine services enjoy a high acceptance among the public, evidence regarding clinician’s acceptance, a key factor for sustainable telemedicine services, is mixed. However, telemedicine is generally better accepted by both patients and professionals who live in rural areas, as it can save them significant time. The objective of this study is to assess the acceptance of medical record-based, store and forward provider-to-provider telemedicine among primary care professionals and to describe the factors which may determine their future use. This is an observational cross-sectional study using the Catalan version of the Health Optimum questionnaire; a technology acceptance model-based validated survey comprised of eight short questions. The online, voluntary response poll was sent to all 661 primary care professionals in 17 primary care teams that had potentially used the telemedicine services of the main primary care provider in Catalonia, in the Central Catalan Region. The majority of respondents rated the quality of telemedicine consultations as “Excellent” or “Good” (83%). However, nearly 60% stated that they sometimes had technical, organizational or other difficulties, which might affect the quality of care delivered. These negatively predicted their declared future use (p = 0.001). The quality of telemedicine services is perceived as good overall for all the parameters studied, especially among nurses. It is important that policymakers examine and provide solutions for the technical and organizational difficulties detected (e.g., by providing training), in order to ensure the use of these services in the future.
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Marín-Gomez FX, Mendioroz Peña J, Canal Casals V, Romero Mendez M, Darnés Surroca A, Nieto Maclino A, Vidal-Alaball J. Environmental and Patient Impact of Applying a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Model in Primary Care: Rural vs. Urban Centres. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E3333. [PMID: 32403439 PMCID: PMC7246434 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution, and the exposure to this human-caused air pollution can lead to harmful health effects. This study evaluates the impact of the provision of point-of-care ultrasounds (POCUS) by primary care (PC) to avoid the patient's need to travel to a specialized service. The study estimates the costs and air pollution avoided during 2019. The results confirm that performing this ultrasound at the point of care reduces the emission of 61.4 gr of carbon monoxide, 14.8 gr of nitric oxide and 2.7 gr of sulfur dioxide on each trip. During the study, an average of 17.8 km, 21.4 min per trip and almost 2000 L of fuel consumed in a year were avoided. Performing POCUS from PC reduces fuel consumption and the emission of air pollutants and also saves time and money. Furthermore, only 0.3% of the scans had to be repeated by radiologists. However, more studies with more participants need to be done to calculate the exact impact that these pollution reductions will have on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc X Marín-Gomez
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain; (J.M.P.); (J.V.-A.)
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Servei d’Atenció Primària Osona, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacobo Mendioroz Peña
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain; (J.M.P.); (J.V.-A.)
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Canal Casals
- Centre d’Atenció Primària Vic Nord, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Marcos Romero Mendez
- Centre d’Atenció Primària St. Quirze de Besora, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08580 Sant Quirze de Besora, Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Ana Darnés Surroca
- Centre d’Atenció Primària Manlleu, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08560 Manlleu, Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Antoni Nieto Maclino
- Centre d’Atenció Primària Sta. Eugènia de Berga, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08507 Santa Eugènia de Berga, Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Josep Vidal-Alaball
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain; (J.M.P.); (J.V.-A.)
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
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Validation of a Short Questionnaire to Assess Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions of Asynchronous Telemedicine Services: The Catalan Version of the Health Optimum Telemedicine Acceptance Questionnaire. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072202. [PMID: 32218310 PMCID: PMC7178015 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Telemedicine is both effective and able to provide efficient care at a lower cost. It also enjoys a high degree of acceptance among users. The Technology Acceptance Model proposed is based on the two main concepts of ease of use and perceived usefulness and is comprised of three dimensions: the individual context, the technological context and the implementation or organizational context. At present, no short, validated questionnaire exists in Catalonia to evaluate the acceptance of telemedicine services amongst healthcare professionals using a technology acceptance model. This article aims to statistically validate the Catalan version of the EU project Health Optimum telemedicine acceptance questionnaire. The study included the following phases: adaptation and translation of the questionnaire into Catalan and psychometric validation with construct (exploratory factor analysis), consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and stability (test–retest) analysis. After deleting incomplete responses, calculations were made using 33 participants. The internal consistency measured with the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was good with an alpha coefficient of 0.84 (95%, CI: 0.79–0.84). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.852–0.964). The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin test of sampling showed to be adequate (KMO = 0.818) and the Bartlett test of sphericity was significant (Chi-square 424.188; gl = 28; p < 0.001). The questionnaire had two dimensions which accounted for 61.2% of the total variance: quality and technical difficulties relating to telemedicine. The findings of this study suggest that the validated questionnaire has robust statistical features that make it a good predictive model of healthcare professional’s satisfaction with telemedicine programs.
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López Seguí F, Franch Parella J, Gironès García X, Mendioroz Peña J, García Cuyàs F, Adroher Mas C, García-Altés A, Vidal-Alaball J. A Cost-Minimization Analysis of a Medical Record-based, Store and Forward and Provider-to-provider Telemedicine Compared to Usual Care in Catalonia: More Agile and Efficient, Especially for Users. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17062008. [PMID: 32197434 PMCID: PMC7143363 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Telemedicine (interconsultation between primary and hospital care teams) has been operating in the counties of Central Catalonia Bages, Moianès and Berguedà since 2011, specializing in teledermatology, teleulcers, teleophthalmology and teleaudiometries. For the period until the end of 2019, a total of 52,198 visits were recorded. Objective: To analyze the differential costs between telemedicine and usual care in a semi-urban environment. Methodology: A cost-minimization evaluation, including direct and indirect costs from a societal perspective, distinguishing healthcare and user’s costs, was carried out over a three-month period. Results: Telemedicine saved € 780,397 over the period analyzed. A differential cost favorable to telemedicine of about € 15 per visit was observed, with the patient being the largest beneficiary of this saving (by 85%) in terms of shorter waiting times and travel costs. From the healthcare system perspective, moving the time spent in a hospital care consultation to primary care is efficient in terms of the total time devoted per patient. In social terms and in this context, telemedicine is more efficient than usual care. Conclusion: Allowing users to save time in terms of consultation and travel is the main driver of interconsultation between primary and hospital care savings in a semi-urban context. The telemedicine service is also economically favorable for the healthcare system, enabling it to provide a more agile service, which also benefits healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc López Seguí
- TIC Salut Social, Catalan Ministry of Health, 08005 Barcelona, Spain;
- CRES&CEXS, Pompeu Fabra University, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Franch Parella
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08242 Manresa, Spain; (J.F.P.); (X.G.G.)
| | - Xavier Gironès García
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya, 08242 Manresa, Spain; (J.F.P.); (X.G.G.)
| | - Jacobo Mendioroz Peña
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain;
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
| | - Francesc García Cuyàs
- Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Catalan Ministry of Health, 08950 Barcelona, Spain; (F.G.C.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Cristina Adroher Mas
- Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Catalan Ministry of Health, 08950 Barcelona, Spain; (F.G.C.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Anna García-Altés
- Agency for Healthcare Quality and Evaluation of Catalonia (AQuAS), Catalan Ministry of Health, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Josep Vidal-Alaball
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain;
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Figueras-Roca M, Figueroa MS, Calvo P, Garay-Aramburu G, García-Martínez JR, Fernández AM, Pou A, Adán A. Optimization of Diabetic Macular Edema Management in the Real World: A Model of Excellence in Retina Units: The EMUREX Initiative. Ophthalmologica 2020; 243:379-390. [PMID: 32015240 DOI: 10.1159/000506311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To define and develop a model of excellence for the clinical management of diabetic macular edema (DME) patients in a real-world setting. METHODS A multidisciplinary joint commission (5 ophthalmologists, 1 nurse, and 1 pharmaceutic) established a series of preliminary recommendations based on clinical guidelines and DME activity results from 8 Pilot Hospitals (PH). These were validated by members of each PH and a group of DME patients in discussion workshops. Thus, the validated guideline (VG) took into consideration different aspects, namely, main core points (ranging 0-100), criteria, and indicators. Finally, each PH own setting was compared to the VG in order to settle down a starting point to clinical excellence. RESULTS Mean PH score was 51.5 (range 30-65). As compared to their maximum, main points that showed best scores were Clinical Guidelines and Protocols (78%) and Portfolio of Services (73%). Topics reaching close to 50% scoring included Resources (55%), Innovation (54%), Care Process (53%), Organization (52%), and Leadership (50%). Lowest scores were observed in the Strategic Alliances (46%) and Staff (37%) points. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of each PH by the VG delivered a global vision of the starting situation, especially focused in the identification of the different improvement areas. In order to further extend this model into the Public Health System, the effect of implementing it in different hospitals should be assessed to analyze its impact on daily clinical practice and health economics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Figueras-Roca
- Institut Clínic d'Oftalmologia (ICOF), Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain,
| | | | - Pilar Calvo
- Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Aránzazu Pou
- Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo Adán
- Institut Clínic d'Oftalmologia (ICOF), Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
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