Towards sustainable healthcare in otorhinolaryngology: assessing knowledge, engagement, and opportunities for change

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.