Economic and Environmental Benefits of Telehealth: A Pathway to Sustainable Post-Pandemic Healthcare Systems
Abstract
Introduction :The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telehealth, transforming how healthcare services are delivered and presenting new opportunities for sustainable development. As health care systems world wide grapple with the challenges of post-pandemic recovery, telehealth emerges as a critical tool that offers significant economic and environmental benefits. This paper conducts a comprehensive literature review to explore how telehealth can serve as a pathway to more sustainable healthcare systems, focusing on its potential to reduce costs, improve access to care, and lower environmental impacts.
Research Methods :This study employs a systematic literature reviewto examine the economic and environmental benefits of telehealth within the context of sustainable post-pandemic healthcare systems. Data were gathered from reputable academic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, focusing on publications from the last five years, particularly those since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Relevant studies were analyzed to extract key findings on the cost-saving potential of telehealth, its role in enhancing healthcare access, and its environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions from patient travel.
Finding/Results :The review provides a comprehensive understanding of how telehealth can support economic and environmental goals in the healthcare sector, offering valuable insights for future research and policy development. Telehealth not only reduces the financial burden on healthcare systems by minimizing the need for physical infrastructure but also contributes to environmental goals by decreasing carbon emissions associated with patient travel and healthcare facilities.
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