Impact of Virtual Clinics on Streamlining NHS Outpatient Waiting Lists and Carbon Emissions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The National Health Service (NHS) outpatient waiting list is growing, affecting specialties like foot and ankle. Delays are due to increasing demand, limited resources, and administrative inefficiencies. Virtual clinics are being explored to reduce physical clinic burdens and provide timely care. This study investigates the effectiveness of virtual clinics in reducing prolonged waiting times in the foot and ankle specialty. Emissions from personal vehicles are a primary driver of climate change, which is a little recognized benefit of virtual clinics.

Methods

We analyzed outcomes from a virtual elective foot and ankle clinic, overseen by a specialist consultant, for new elective referrals over 4 months. Data for 175 patients were collected from Lorenzo, our electr

SUBMITTER: Bhavanasi BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11653461 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature