Medical Economics June 16, 2025

Virtual Consultations: A Win-Win for Patients and the Planet

Preoperative virtual consultations prove to be just as effective as in-person visits while saving time, money, and reducing carbon emissions.

  • Virtual consultations matched in-person visits in patient satisfaction and information recall.
  • Patients saved time and money, reducing carbon emissions.
  • Virtual consultations were well-received across age groups.
  • Telehealth offers a flexible, sustainable option for healthcare.

Amsterdam, June 16, 2025 – A new study from Amsterdam University Medical Center reveals that virtual consultations are just as effective as in-person visits for preoperative surgical preparation, while offering significant advantages.

The research, published June 15 in *The Lancet*, highlights the benefits of telehealth in modern healthcare. The trial demonstrated that patients undergoing virtual consultations retained information as effectively as those with in-person visits, with no loss in satisfaction.

The study also emphasized that patients experienced savings in time and money. Additionally, there was a reduction in carbon emissions, making virtual consultations a sustainable option. The study’s findings apply to various healthcare settings, including surgical and primary care.