Oral Presentation ESA-SRB-NZSE-CaSR 2026 in conjunction with ENSA

A simple intervention to improve telehealth utilisation in General Endocrinology clinic (141977)

Cecilia LH Xu 1 2 , Sara Baqar 1 3 , Annabelle M Warren 1 3 4
  1. Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
  2. Department of Endocrinology, Western Health, Sunshine, VIC, Australia
  3. Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC
  4. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC

Background

Healthcare accounts for 7% of Australia’s carbon footprint,1 with patient travel contributing to 6% of healthcare-related emissions.2 Telehealth may reduce emissions compared to in-person appointments and improve access to care.3

 

Aim

To determine whether a simple educational intervention can improve rates of telehealth utilisation in a General Endocrinology clinic.

 

Methods

We conducted baseline surveys of in-person patients and clinicians in the General Endocrinology Clinic at Austin Health in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria. Information collected included average distance of travel, technical capability for telehealth (via video or telephone) and appointment modality preferences.

We delivered a short educational intervention to clinicians regarding benefits of telehealth and the patient survey results indicating openness to telehealth. We collected 13 weeks of data on appointment modalities and rates of non-attendance, before and three months after the intervention.

 

Results

Baseline surveys were completed by 60 patients and 9 clinicians. The mean distance travelled for in-person appointments was 35.6 kilometres, with 97% of patients travelling by car, corresponding to an estimated carbon output of 6.8kg per in-person appointment based on national average light vehicle emissions.4 52% of patients were either neutral or preferred telehealth, and 66% of clinicians felt that a mix of telehealth and in-person appointments provided the best quality of care. Following the intervention, the mean rate of telehealth utilisation increased from 19.7% to 25.4% (a relative increase of 29.4%, p = 0.005). This corresponded to approximately 3.3 out of 58 appointments per clinic converted to telehealth, with an estimated carbon saving of 22.4kg per clinic. There was no statistically significant change in rates of non-attendance.

 

Conclusion

Many patients and clinicians identified telehealth as a convenient and feasible part of their clinical care. A simple educational intervention was associated with significantly increased rates of telehealth utilisation without compromising attendance rates.

  1. Malik A, Lenzen M, McAlister S, McGain F. The carbon footprint of Australian health care. Lancet. 2018 Jan;2(1):E27-35.
  2. De Sain R, Irwin A, McGushin A, Dryburgh L, Cooper G, Skellern M. Estimates of Australian health system greenhouse gas emissions, 2021-22. Canberra, Australia: Australian Centre for Disease Control, 2024.
  3. Ravindrane R, Patel J. The environmental impacts of telemedicine in place of face-to-face patient care: a systematic review. 2022;9(1):28-33.
  4. National Transport Commission. Light vehicle emissions intensity in Australia: trends over time. Melbourne: National Transport Commission; 2025 Dec [cited 2026 Jun 18). Available from: https://www.ntc.gov.au/sites/default/files/assets/files/Light%20vehicle%20emissions%20intensity%20in%20Australia%20-%20trends%20over%20time.pdf