Environmentally sustainable health care: using an educational intervention to engage the public health medical workforce in Australia
Kate E. Charlesworth A E , D. Lynne Madden B and Anthony G. Capon C DA NSW Public Health Officer Training Program, NSW Ministry of Health
B School of Medicine, Sydney, The University of Notre Dame (formerly Public Health Training and Workforce, Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence NSW Ministry of Health)
C Faculty of Health, University of Canberra
D International Institute for Global Health, United Nations University, Kuala Lumpur
E Corresponding author. Email: kate.charlesworth@gmail.com
NSW Public Health Bulletin 24(2) 76-80 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB12097
Published: 7 November 2013
Abstract
Awareness of the benefits of environmentally sustainable health care is growing. In the United Kingdom in 2010, an educational intervention on sustainable health care was successfully delivered to public health registrars. We conducted a feasibility study to test the intervention in Australia. Methods: The intervention consisted of a 1-day workshop delivered face-to-face covering climate change, sustainability and health. The workshop was modified, piloted and then delivered to 33 health professionals. Modifications included using Australian resources, introducing active learning exercises and including guest speakers. Delivery by videoconference was trialled. Outcomes were assessed in three areas – awareness, advocacy and action – using questionnaires and follow-up telephone interviews. Results: There were improvements in participants’ mean awareness and advocacy scores. All participants rated sustainability as ‘important’ for health professionals and many looked to their professional organisation to take a lead advocacy role on this issue. Discussion: This study demonstrated that the workshop is feasible for use in Australia; the modifications and delivery by videoconference were well received.
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