The health care industry is constantly looking for ways to grow toward delivering care that’s accessible and more sustainable. With the increasing urgency of climate change and rising costs for patient travel — especially in remote locations or rural areas — health care providers are looking for more efficient ways to assist patients quickly. Here are three sustainable health care innovations the medical industry is adopting:

1. Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a primary care strategy that uses telecommunication technology to provide health services, particularly to remote or hard-to-access areas. Specialists conduct telemedicine through telephonic or video calls when the patient can’t travel due to several reasons, such as having an infectious disease, being unable to travel long distances financially, or being unable to sit for long waiting times. 

These virtual appointments help you see your health care provider at an appointed time in a comfortable environment. It also allows your provider to understand your surroundings and how to better assist you with the available medicines and health care facilities nearby.

Telemedicine appointments help sustainability because you travel less, which lowers the 3,932 pounds of emissions electric vehicles (EVs) release annually and, since EV tires wear out quickly, reduces the wear and tear on your vehicle. If there are fewer people in health care facilities, energy consumption is lower and your health care provider can decrease paper use by opting for digital prescriptions. 

2. Portable Ultrasound Machines

Ultrasounds have evolved over the past 50 years from being confined to hospital imaging rooms to portable machines that assist various specialties like OB/GYN, pediatric, radiology, cardiology, vascular and more in remote locations. Portable ultrasound devices are generally connected to a tablet, laptop or cart through Bluetooth. This allows clinicians to conduct high-quality scans anywhere, from rural clinics to patients’ homes. 

This innovative technique is beneficial to patients who travel long distances for ongoing medical treatment, such as prenatal care or monitoring chronic conditions. For patients who face an emergency in a rural area, the compact machine can provide immediate assistance from a health care provider without moving the patient to another location. 

The compact machine is a sustainable health care trend that reduces energy consumption because it’s smaller and consumes less energy than traditional machines which require continuous power. It minimizes travel, reducing emissions. Furthermore, many portable ultrasounds are modular and the software is upgradeable, so there’s less electronic and medical equipment waste.

3. Digital Therapeutics

Digital therapeutics work alongside traditional therapy or medication that’s clinically tested and approved by a doctor. Therapeutics assist doctors in treating patients with diagnosed conditions. Instead of waiting for an appointment with your health professional, these software-based treatments are capable of preventing, managing and treating medical conditions, as well as promoting self-care through clinically approved methods. 

The apps work according to your needs. If you need assistance with turning your negative thinking into a positive mindset to avoid overthinking because of trauma, anxiety, depression or insomnia, the app helps you find coping mechanisms at any time. There are also digital rehabilitation apps for stroke recovery or musculoskeletal conditions, so if you’re feeling physically or emotionally unwell, your app can help you find therapeutic methods to calm your brain and body. 

Hospitals release 2.5 times more greenhouse gases than businesses. Once a doctor diagnoses you, it’s time and cost-effective to use the apps for ongoing treatment until a major check up. The digital therapeutics app is a sustainable healthcare trend because it contributes to helping the environment by reducing the carbon footprint. Patients only visit medical facilities if it’s necessary. 

Digital therapeutics also reduces paper prescriptions, in addition to printed educational and therapy materials. 

Competent Care Keeps Patients and the Environment Safe

In 2025, medical facilities have already started gearing toward digital ways to reduce their carbon footprint. With new advancements, and additional health care innovations, they will continue to find more sustainable ways to assist patients quickly and accurately without harming the environment.