Nurses' Role in Achieving Environmentally Sustainable Health Systems: A Bibliometric Analysis

Core Concepts

The author argues that nurses play a crucial role in achieving environmentally sustainable health systems through education and awareness. The research highlights the growing trend of publications on this topic, emphasizing the need for more empirical data to support practical implementation.

Abstract

The content discusses the importance of nurses in promoting environmentally sustainable health systems. It analyzes trends, key countries, top articles, authors, and keywords related to nursing and sustainability. The study underscores the significance of education and policy changes to integrate environmental awareness into nursing practices.
The content emphasizes the critical role of nurses in addressing environmental sustainability within healthcare systems. It highlights the need for further research and practical strategies to achieve WHO's definition of environmentally sustainable health systems through nursing education and interventions.
The analysis reveals a growing interest in integrating sustainability into nursing practices, with a focus on education, organization, management, and policy development. The study calls for increased efforts to empower nurses as agents of change towards achieving environmentally sustainable healthcare.

Stats

The search resulted in 159 publications from 2017 to 2021.
Top countries included the USA, UK, Sweden.
Most relevant articles were indexed in JCR.
Significant increase in publication trends (p=0.028).
Lack of experimental data on creating sustainable systems.
Education is key to achieving environmentally sustainable health systems.

Quotes

"The patient's environment plays a crucial role in improving their disease process." - Fields et al., 2021
"Nurses are engines of change in the current health system regarding environmental sustainability." - Lilienfeld et al., 2018

Key Insights Distilled From

Nurses as agents for achieving Environmentally Sustainable Health Systems

by Olga... at arxiv.org 03-12-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.05543.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can healthcare institutions better support nurses in promoting environmental sustainability?

Healthcare institutions can better support nurses in promoting environmental sustainability by implementing the following strategies:

Education and Training: Providing comprehensive education and training programs for nurses on environmental sustainability practices, including waste management, energy conservation, and sustainable resource utilization.

Policy Development: Developing institutional policies that prioritize environmentally friendly practices, such as reducing single-use plastics, recycling initiatives, and energy-efficient measures.

Resource Allocation: Allocating resources towards eco-friendly equipment and supplies to reduce the institution's carbon footprint.

Collaboration with Environmental Experts: Collaborating with environmental experts to assess current practices and identify areas for improvement in achieving sustainability goals.

Recognition Programs: Implementing recognition programs to acknowledge and reward nurses who actively contribute to promoting environmental sustainability within the institution.

Research Support: Encouraging research initiatives focused on innovative ways to enhance environmental sustainability in healthcare settings through grants or funding opportunities.

How can lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic be applied to enhance environmental sustainability efforts led by nurses?

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic can be applied to enhance environmental sustainability efforts led by nurses in several ways:

Waste Management Practices: Implementing improved waste management protocols based on experiences during the pandemic, such as proper disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE) materials while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

Telehealth Integration: Leveraging telehealth services adopted during the pandemic to reduce unnecessary travel for patients and healthcare providers, thereby lowering carbon emissions associated with transportation.

Supply Chain Resilience: Enhancing supply chain resilience by sourcing sustainable medical supplies locally whenever possible to reduce reliance on global supply chains and minimize carbon footprints related to transportation.

Energy Efficiency Measures: Investing in energy-efficient technologies within healthcare facilities based on reduced energy consumption trends observed during periods of lockdowns or restricted operations due to the pandemic.

What challenges might nurses face when advocating for sustainability within healthcare settings?

Nurses may encounter various challenges when advocating for sustainability within healthcare settings:

Resistance to Change: Some staff members or administrators may resist adopting new environmentally sustainable practices due to a lack of awareness or perceived inconvenience.

Budget Constraints: Limited financial resources allocated towards implementing sustainable initiatives could hinder progress despite recognizing their importance.

Time Constraints: Nurses already juggling multiple responsibilities may find it challenging to dedicate time towards championing additional projects related to environmental sustainability.

Lack of Institutional Support: Without strong leadership backing or institutional policies supporting green initiatives, individual efforts by nurses may not yield significant impact.

5.. Education Gaps: Nurses may require additional training or knowledge about specific aspects of environmental conservation before effectively advocating for sustainable practices within their workplace setting.