{"id":60060,"date":"2025-07-09T14:47:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T14:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdhf.staging.not4prod.com\/?p=60060"},"modified":"2025-07-10T18:40:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T18:40:14","slug":"virtual-care-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/virtual-care-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"How Virtual Care Supports Your Health and the Planet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Healthcare is constantly evolving, and not just in the types of treatments being offered to patients. How, when, and where care is delivered have seen major shifts in recent years, with an increase in virtual healthcare visits and more streamlined scheduling practices. As discussed in this article on climate change and digestive health<\/a>, the healthcare sector itself plays a role in environmental change, which in turn can negatively affect digestive health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasing the availability of virtual visits and scheduling multiple procedures on the same day is better for both patients and the environment. Healthcare utilization contributes to environmental change<\/a> through the generation of greenhouse gases, waste products, and pollution. This, in turn, adversely impacts digestive health, with newer research<\/a> pointing to a link between environmental change and the incidence of cancer and inflammatory diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will examine the benefits of practices such as virtual visits and smarter scheduling on both patient outcomes and the environment. Making care more convenient isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s an essential part of a modern, patient-centered, and environmentally conscious healthcare system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rise of Virtual Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped many parts of our lives, but perhaps one of the most impactful was the shift in how we access healthcare. Virtual health care<\/a> has evolved from a niche offering to a standard option at many healthcare facilities worldwide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many patients, this has been a welcome change from having to attend appointments in person. It’s convenient, just as effective<\/a> as in-person care, and often a more comfortable way to connect with your care team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Virtual Visits Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The shift to virtual care has shown that phone and video appointments can be a viable option for a range of appointment types, including follow-up visits, prescription refills, and reviewing test results. They save time, eliminate transportation hassles, and make it easier to fit healthcare into busy schedules, especially for individuals juggling work or caregiving responsibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research has shown that telemedicine improves patient outcomes<\/a> by helping overcome geographical barriers and improving patient engagement and satisfaction with care. For people living with gastrointestinal conditions like IBS or IBD, where symptoms can be unpredictable, being able to talk with their doctor from the comfort of home can ease the anxiety of needing to find a washroom while out and about or sitting through a long commute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Care and the Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Virtual care doesn’t just benefit patients; it’s also better for the planet. If every patient skipped just one unnecessary in-person appointment each year, imagine the cumulative impact it could have: less driving, fewer emissions, and a greener healthcare system. In fact, a 2025 study<\/a> at a single urology clinic found that switching to telehealth for just six months resulted in the elimination of over 150 metric tons of CO2<\/sub>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While virtual care isn’t a substitute for every type of visit, like physical exams or procedures, it can be a smart choice in many situations. If you’re wondering whether a phone or video visit could be an option for you, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare team! Many health facilities are now well-equipped to help patients navigate virtual care options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, virtual care offers a flexible, patient-centered approach to healthcare, especially for those managing chronic conditions. When appropriate, choosing a virtual visit can save you time, reduce stress, and help protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smarter Scheduling for In-Person Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When in-person care is necessary, adopting smarter scheduling practices can make a significant difference for both your health and the environment. Coordinating multiple appointments or procedures into a single visit helps reduce the overall burden on patients and minimizes unnecessary travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One practical example is combining procedures like colonoscopies and upper endoscopies on the same day, when medically appropriate. This approach not only reduces the time and energy spent preparing for two separate procedures, but also minimizes exposure to anesthesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fewer trips to the clinic or hospital also mean less time spent commuting, less time off work, and fewer child-care or caregiving arrangements to organize. And from an environmental standpoint, consolidating appointments results in fewer car trips, which can help lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce traffic congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have multiple upcoming visits, tests, or other procedures, ask your healthcare team whether it’s possible to schedule them on the same day. A little planning can go a long way in making care more efficient and sustainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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