Table 1.

Examples of eHealth methods and their potential impacts and health co-benefits

eHealth methods	Direct & indirect greenhouse gas impact	Potential co-benefits and examples of subsequent implications
Video consultations, e.g. between general practitioner and specialist or specialist and patient	Reduced travel for specialist and/or patient	Less pollutiona Positive impact on health economy Long-term benefit: education of the general practitioner Sub-specialist access for out-patient clinics in low-resource settings
Telehomecare, e.g. remote support of self-management in chronic diseases	Reduced travel for patients and specialists	Less pollutiona Decrease in hospital admissions for individuals with chronic diseases Positive impact on health economy Increased quality of life for the patient
Remote public health or medical education	Reduced travel for teacher, patient, and/or student	Less pollutiona Increased medical knowledge, e.g. in poor or remote settings. Positive impact on health economy Large potential for out-patient clinics in remote or low-resource settings
Virtual visits	Reduced travel for patients and relatives	Less pollutiona Positive impact on long-term hospital admissions since more frequent contact with relatives will be possible Potential to reduce the need for near-hospital parking facilities
Remote diagnostics, e.g. teleradiology, remote auscultations	Reduced travel for patient and/or specialist	Less pollutiona Positive impact on health economy Large potential for out-patient clinics in remote or low-resource settings
Electronic prescriptions	Reduced travel for patient Reduced paperworkb	Less pollutiona Significant potential to reduce harmful adverse drug interactions
Electronic medical records and referrals	Reduction in travel Reduced paperworkb	Less pollutiona Shared health information leads to safer and more efficient care

^aLess pollution should result in direct benefits of lower rates of diseases such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

^bReduced paperwork should result in less deforestation and lowered emission from paper manufacturing, transport and recycling.