Virtual care during pandemic led to significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, patient travel-related expenses

The beginning of the pandemic triggered a rapid transition to virtual patient visits with physicians in Ont., which soared up to 80% and then stabilized at 50 to 60% of all physician visits. ICES found that for more than 10 million patients with at least one appointment (63 million visits in total), virtual care was associated with estimated savings of:

• 3.2 billion kilometres of patient travel;
• 545 to 658 million kilograms of CO2 emissions; and
• $569 to $733 million in expenses for gasoline, parking or public transit.

The researchers say the financial and environmental benefits of virtual care will likely continue beyond the pandemic and are particularly relevant for some patients who were frequent recipients of virtual care.
Related:
Soins de santé : des millions de kilomètres parcourus chaque année au N.-B. - Radio-Canada