Reducing Carbon Footprint in Medical Education: Study Highlights Importance of Digital Platforms

A new report from the Mayo Clinic highlights the significant impact of traditional teaching methods on the environment, with the US healthcare sector contributing approximately 479 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. The study compared the carbon dioxide emissions associated with different delivery methods of the CERTAIN global critical care education program, finding that local in-person courses had the highest emissions, with 52.7 tons per course. The researchers conclude that a strategic shift towards digital medical education platforms is necessary to promote environmental responsibility and broaden global educational access.

Key Takeaways:

• The US healthcare sector contributes approximately 479 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
• Local in-person courses had the highest emissions, with 52.7 tons per course, primarily from air travel.
• International in-person courses had moderate emissions, with 14.6 tons per course, primarily from air travel and conference venues.
• Online courses had the lowest emissions, with 0.6 tons per course, primarily from online course-related emissions.
• The study found that online courses have a 95% lower carbon footprint compared to local in-person courses.
• The study's findings support a strategic shift towards digital medical education platforms to promote environmental responsibility and broaden global educational access.
• The CERTAIN program's cross-sectional analysis of CO2e emissions was conducted from 2016 to 2022.
• The study used the 'My Climate Flight Calculator' and 'Environmental Protection Agency Emission Factors' formulas to calculate CO2e emissions.

Statistics:

• 479 million tons of carbon dioxide: The annual CO2 emissions from the US healthcare sector.
• 52.7 tons per course: The CO2 emissions from local in-person courses.
• 14.6 tons per course: The CO2 emissions from international in-person courses.
• 0.6 tons per course: The CO2 emissions from online courses.
• 95%: The reduction in CO2 emissions from transitioning to online courses compared to local in-person courses.
• 2016-2022: The time period for the cross-sectional analysis of CO2e emissions.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Data on Environmental Impact Reported by Researchers at Mayo Clinic (Environmental Impact of Online Versus in-Person Critical Care Education Through the Carbon Footprint Analysis of the CERTAIN Program: Cross-Sectional Study). Global Warming Focus. August 18, 2025; p 103.