Economic, Environmental, and Social Value of Virtual Care in Otolaryngology: Sustainability in Quality Improvement Framework.

Abstract

Objective: Apply the Sustainability in Quality Improvement framework to virtual care for Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) patients to understand the economic, environmental, and social impacts.

Methods: This project consisted of retrospective analysis of anonymized data from all appointments that took place in three academic ambulatory OHNS clinics (pediatrics, head and neck, and otology/neurotology) from fiscal years of 2021 to 2023. Data were obtained from our institution's Virtual Care Dashboard. The following metrics were calculated: travel costs avoided with virtual appointments (economic value), fuel and carbon emissions avoided with virtual appointments (environmental value), and differences in Ontario Marginalization (ON-Marg) Index scores between patients seen virtually versus in-person (social value).

Results: A total of 41,343 visits occurred over the 2-year period (18.1% virtual). Nearly all virtual visits were by telephone (99.6%). The average cost savings per virtual care visit was $87.50, and total cost savings across all 3 clinics was $640,300. Total environmental savings were 82,500 L of fuel and 246.6 metric tons of carbon emissions. There were no statistical differences in monthly average marginalization (ON-Marg) indices in patients seen virtually compared to in-person.

Discussion: Virtual care demonstrated financial and environmental savings for OHNS patients that can accumulate over multiple appointments. No difference in ON-Marg indices between patients assessed virtually versus in-person suggests that virtual care was accessible for patients regardless of social background.

Implications for practice: Our data suggests that virtual care may be a viable complement for delivering OHNS care that leads to fiscal and environmental savings for patients and ensures equitable access to care.