Virtual healthcare for a more environmentally sustainable healthcare system
19 September 2025
To mark World Environment Day 2025, we released a new research report: Virtual Health vs. In-Hospital Osteoarthritis Treatment in Australian Urban and Rural Settings, demonstrating some of the environmental benefits of virtual healthcare. The study compared the life cycle environmental impacts of Medibank’s Better Knee, Better Me virtual program with traditional in-hospital knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis patients across urban and rural settings.
Key findings include:
- Up to 67% lower environmental impact in rural settings and 64% lower in urban settings with virtual care.
- Up to 59% less waste generated through virtual delivery.
- Major emissions drivers in traditional care were transport and hospital utilities.
This research reinforces the dual value of virtual healthcare: improving patient access and outcomes while significantly reducing the environmental footprint of care delivery without compromising patient needs. It aligns with our broader sustainability strategy and reflects the healthcare sector’s potential to reduce its estimated 5.3%1 contribution to Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
To read more about the environmental impact of different treatments for managing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, download the report.
Downloadable resources