RESUMO
AIM: To explore the perspectives of Kazakhstani healthcare professionals on environmental sustainability in healthcare. DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative design. METHODS: Four focus group discussions (FGDs) on environmental sustainability in healthcare were conducted among healthcare professionals (nurses, physicians, midwives and physical therapists) from June to August 2023 in three cities of Kazakhstan. Each FGD consisted of at least 6 to 11 participants and lasted between 60 and 90 minutes. The collected data were analysed using the thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 137 initial codes were identified and further organized into 22 sub-themes based on similarities in codes and meanings, and then 5 significant themes were identified. The five main themes are 'Environmental Sustainability Practices in Healthcare', 'Purposes of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare', 'Impact of Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare in Patients', 'Challenges in Implementing Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare' and 'The Role of Healthcare Leadership in Improving Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare'. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlighted the perceptions and practices of healthcare professionals on environmental sustainability's purposes in healthcare, its impacts on patients and its implementation challenges. The study also underscored the critical role of strong and active leadership in ensuring a sustainable implementation of green policies in healthcare facilities and achieving successful results of environmentally conscious healthcare practices. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The findings provide invaluable information that can be used by policymakers and healthcare organization leaders to create a sustainable healthcare system. Implementing environmental sustainability practices in healthcare should be widespread, intentional, and sustainable, entailing strong leadership and unwavering personal and organizational commitment. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. REPORTING METHOD: We adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines, specifically the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.
RESUMO
THE AIM WAS: This study explored the perspectives of nursing, medical and public health students on environmental sustainability in healthcare. BACKGROUND: The healthcare sector has increasingly recognized the importance of adopting environmental sustainability over the past few years. This growing awareness emphasizes the need to thoroughly assess the connection between health care and environmental responsibility. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive-exploratory design. METHODS: This study explored the views on environmental sustainability in health care of 29 nursing, medical and public health students at three universities in Kazakhstan through focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used in the data analysis. Data collection was carried out from June to August 2023. RESULTS: Using semantic thematic analysis, 209 initial codes were extracted, and then similar codes and meanings were grouped, leading to 21 categories until the development of the five significant themes. The five main themes are 'the impact of the environment on health', 'environmental sustainability practices in healthcare care', 'the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in environmental sustainability in healthcare', 'intrinsic motivation to engage in environmental sustainability practices in healthcare' and 'challenges and barriers to practicing environmental sustainability in healthcare'. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest the critical aspect of addressing environmental sustainability through interprofessional collaboration and working on intrinsic motivation among health professionals. Furthermore, our study contributes in several ways to our understanding of environmental sustainability in healthcare. Provides a basis for clinicians, educators and policy makers to consider adding sustainability to their agenda to prepare future health professionals.