National Dermatological Surgery Sustainability Survey: An Evaluation of Healthcare Professional Beliefs and Practices

Abstract

Background

Dermatological surgery contributes to the large environmental impact of healthcare, but to date there are no data on the current sustainability practices, attitudes, or behaviours of UK and Republic of Ireland health professionals involved in skin surgery.

Objectives

We sought to evaluate this using a national sustainability questionnaire, organised by the British Society for Dermatological Surgery.

Methods

Over 12-weeks, a 17-item online questionnaire was distributed nationally to healthcare professionals involved in skin surgery.

Results

115 UK healthcare professionals responded. ‘See and Treat’ provision for non-Mohs skin surgery was described by 32% of respondents. When compared to single-use equipment (Median=4), reusable equipment (Median=7) outperformed on perceived safety (p =.0056), quality (p =.00001), and patient outcomes (p =.0067), but no difference was found in usability (p =.68916). Perceived sustainability was greater in the reusable (Median=7) than single-use (Median=1)(p=.00001). Almost all (97%) respondents believe global climate change is happening, and the majority (74%) are concerned by dermatological surgery’s impact. However, only 44% feel comfortable discussing health effects of climate change with patients. Whilst 75% turn off surgical lighting in between lists, often room lighting (31%), equipment (32%) or heating/air conditioning (22%) is forgotten.

Conclusion

Whilst awareness of the impact of dermatological surgery on global climate change is common among healthcare professionals involved in skin surgery, there is room for improvement in translating this into local action, advocacy, and service improvement to standards dictated by national sustainability guidance.