Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Medicine Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick Saint John New Brunswick Canada
2. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Western University Ontario London Canada
3. Department of Paediatrics Western University Ontario London Canada
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveHealthcare systems, specifically operating rooms, significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing operating room environmental sustainability requires understanding current practices, opinions, and barriers. This is the first study assessing the attitudes and perceptions of otolaryngologists on environmental sustainability.Study DesignCross‐sectional virtual survey.SettingEmail survey to active members of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.MethodsA 23‐question survey was developed in REDCap. The questions focused on four themes: (1) demographics, (2) attitudes and beliefs, (3) institutional practices, and (4) education. A combination of multiple choice, Likert‐scale, and open‐ended questions were employed.ResultsResponse rate was 11% (n = 80/699). Most respondents strongly believed in climate change (86%). Only 20% strongly agree that operating rooms contribute to the climate crisis. Most agree environmental sustainability is very important at home (62%) and in their community (64%), only 46% said it was very important in the operating room. Barriers to environmental sustainability were incentives (68%), hospital supports (60%), information/knowledge (59%), cost (58%), and time (50%). Of those involved in residency programs, 89% (n = 49/55) reported there was no education on environmental sustainability or they were unsure if there was.ConclusionCanadian otolaryngologists strongly believe in climate change, but there is more ambivalence regarding operating rooms as a significant contributor. There is a need for further education and a systemic reduction of barriers to facilitate eco‐action in otolaryngology operating rooms.
Subject
Otorhinolaryngology,Surgery
Reference50 articles.
1. The 2021 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: code red for a healthy future
2. Climate change and health. World Health Organization. 2021. Accessed November 11 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
3. Greenhouse gas emissions. Government of Canada. Canada.ca. May 2022. Accessed November 11 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/greenhouse-gas-emissions.html
4. Net‐Zero Emissions by 2050. Canada.ca. August 26 2022. Accessed November 13 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/net-zero-emissions-2050.html
5. For a livable climate: Net‐zero commitments must be backed by credible action. October 30 2021. Accessed November 13 2022. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition
Cited by
2 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献