Towards sustainable healthcare in otorhinolaryngology: assessing knowledge, engagement, and opportunities for change
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Healthcare systems contribute up to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with impacts varying across medical specialties. Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) and hearing care must address their specific environmental footprint to meet emerging sustainability goals. This study assessed ORL professionals' awareness, engagement, and perceived opportunities for implementing sustainable practices. Methods: A 17-item survey was conducted from May 31 to July 25, 2024, among members of the HEARRING group, an international association of ORL experts. Results: 37 responses from 26 hospitals across 16 countries were collected. While 89.2% of participants expressed interest in sustainability, only 29.7% felt confident explaining sustainable development. Key opportunities included waste reduction (70%), policy development (25%), transportation improvements (20%), and energy efficiency (15%). Major barriers were lack of collective action (59.5%), uncertainty (35.1%), and insufficient workplace support (35.1%). Hospitals commonly engaged in recycling (83.3%), waste reduction (80.6%), and energy conservation (74.3%), but green purchasing and toxic-waste reduction were limited. Awareness of Green Teams was low (30.6%), though those familiar recognized their value. Discussion: Despite strong interest, gaps in knowledge and systemic barriers persist in ORL care. Targeted education, leadership support, and adoption of Green Teams could accelerate sustainable practices and reduce environmental impact.
Source: Frontiers in Health Services
Authors: Ilona Anderson, Aanand Acharya, Uwe Baumann, Kevin D. Brown, Miryam Calvino, Marco Caversaccio, Javier Gavilán, Sara Ghiselli, Benoit Godey, Rudolf Hagen, Abdulrahman Hagr, Emilie Heuninck, Mohan Kameswaran, Anja Kurz, Marc Lammers, Yongxin Li, Griet Mertens, Robert Mlynski, Martin O'Driscoll, Sasidharan Pulibalathingal, Christopher H. Raine, Ranjith Rajeswaran, Kristen Rak, Joachim Schmutzhard, Josef Seebacher, Piotr H. Skarzynski, Kari Smilsky, Georg M. Sprinzl, Hinrich Staecker, Timo Stöver, David Strachan, Serafima Sugarova, Paul Van de Heyning, Vincent Van Rompaey, Christiane Völter, Medhat Youssef, Mario E. Zernotti, Kim Zimmerman, Christiana Kyvelidou
Institutions: MED-EL (Austria), Fremantle Hospital, Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Health Care, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Bern, University of Parma, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Piacenza, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, University of Würzburg, King Saud University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, University of Rostock, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Innsbruck Medical University, Universität Innsbruck, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Universitätsklinikum St. Pölten, University of Kansas Medical Center, Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, Ruhr University Bochum, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Fundacion Allende, London Health Sciences Centre
Language: English
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,077
Funder: MED-EL Medical Electronics
OpenAlex ID: W7169504113