Quantifying the Pro-Environmental Impacts of Telehealth Tobacco Treatment.

Abstract

Introduction: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trap in heat responsible for global warming. Stanford Tobacco Treatment Service uses telehealth for patient care.

Methods: To quantify the environmental benefits of the clinic, data were abstracted from the electronic health record between March 17, 2020, and September 20, 2022. Round trip distances from address zip code to clinic were calculated to quantify GHG. Reductions in cigarettes from baseline to 24-month follow up were analyzed.

Results: The sample of 556 patients averaged 2 sessions and 156.8 miles per round trip, saving 148.8 kg of GHG emissions per patient. Ninety-four patients had tobacco usage data at both timepoints; 83 (88%) used cigarettes and had an average decrease of 5.5 cigarettes per day.

Conclusions: Applying findings to the 1,820 patients treated, the clinic has averted 271 metric tons of GHG travel emissions via telehealth; equivalent to 693,101 miles driven. Investing in telehealth tobacco cessation can prevent illnesses, health care expenditures, and environmental hazards.