Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: As many healthcare developers and providers commit to net zero targets, digital health technologies (DHTs) are increasingly viewed as a key strategy to attain these targets. There has been a rapid rise in the use of DHTs and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated implementation in many healthcare fields. However, there is limited understanding of how the environmental impact of DHTs should be assessed. This study synthesises existing methodology approaches to assessing the environmental impact of DHTs.
METHODS: Studies were included if they assessed the environmental impact of DHTs. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Sociological Abstracts and Scopus) were searched in November 2024, along with backward and forward citation search of key identified studies. Findings were synthesised narratively.
RESULTS: Overall, 73 studies were included in the review. The majority (n=70) evaluated telemedicine interventions, comprised of synchronous (n=60) and asynchronous (n=10) telemedicine. Other DHTs included application of deep-learning and robotics. Only 12 studies used a framework to guide assessment, these included Life Cycle Assessment, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, and Sustainability in Quality Improvement framework. Whilst most studies (n=43) focused solely on patient travel, some assessed the environmental impact of DHTs more comprehensively, using measures such as the energy consumption of the telemedicine platform, or clinic rooms and waste disposal. Reported environmental outcomes included CO₂e, CO₂, and general greenhouse gas emissions.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a growing interest in quantifying the environmental impact of DHTs. Despite of existing frameworks to guide these assessments, they are not widely used. There is a lack of consistency in methodological approaches reported. The scope of the assessments was typically limited and captured only immediate, singular impacts. Thus, future research should prioritise the development and validation of standardised environmental assessment frameworks for DHTs to address gaps in current evaluation methods.