Patients' Attitudes Towards Integrating Environmental Sustainability Into Healthcare Decision-Making: An Interview Study

Introduction

The ethical obligation to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare systems prompts an exploration of if and when environmental concerns should be integrated into clinical decision-making. In this study, we aimed to elucidate patients' attitudes regarding the provision of environmental information in healthcare decision-making and to identify preferred approaches for integrating these considerations into patient–provider consultations.

Methods

This interview study served as an in-depth follow-up of a survey study on gynaecological patients' perspectives on environmental sustainability within healthcare settings. We conducted semistructured interviews with 14 patients from two Dutch outpatient clinics between February and May 2024. We employed reflexive thematic analysis to analyse the data.

Results

Five main themes were developed from the data: (1) Patients are an integral part of the transition to sustainable healthcare, (2) Patients are open to information on environmental impact of healthcare, (3) Information on environmental impact should be tailored to the individual patient and context, (4) Patients vary in preferences for involvement in decision-making related to environmental sustainability and (5) Patients prioritize individual health over environmental concerns in healthcare decision-making.

Conclusion

The findings of our study underscore the importance of integrating sustainability into clinical decision-making, aligning with bioethical principles and the expectations and goals of patients. By ensuring that environmental considerations are introduced in a personalized and context-appropriate manner within patient–provider interactions, healthcare can foster greater support for sustainable practices.