To quantify the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from converting a mandatory preoperative bariatric patient education session from in-person to virtual format.
Approach:
Method: label
Method: text
Key Findings:
83.6% of participants were female, with a mean BMI of 47.3 kg/m².
Nearly 75% of respondents indicated they would have attended the session in person, while 62.3% preferred online attendance.
25% of participants would not have attended the session if it were only offered in person.
Interpretation:
The virtual format of the seminar not only facilitated attendance for patients who might otherwise miss critical information but also contributed to reduced carbon emissions associated with travel.
Limitations:
The study was based on a single educational session and may not represent long-term trends.
The sample size was limited to 183 participants.
Conclusion:
The transition to virtual education for bariatric surgery candidates demonstrates potential environmental benefits and improved patient engagement.
