Institute of Medical Imaging & Visualisation, Department of Medical Science & Public Health, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, UK.
Institute of Medical Imaging & Visualisation, Department of Medical Science & Public Health, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, UK; IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Radiography (Lond). 2023 Oct;29(6):1077-1092. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2023.09.006. Epub 2023 Sep 25.
Environmental sustainability (ES) in healthcare is an important current challenge in the wider context of reducing the environmental impacts of human activity. Identifying key routes to making clinical radiology and radiotherapy (CRR) practice more environmentally sustainable will provide a framework for delivering greener clinical services. This study sought to explore and integrate current evidence regarding ES in CRR departments, to provide a comprehensive guide for greener practice, education, and research.
A systematic literature search and review of studies of diverse evidence including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach was completed across six databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATSDD) was used to assess the included studies. A result-based convergent data synthesis approach was employed to integrate the study findings.
A total of 162 articles were identified. After applying a predefined exclusion criterion, fourteen articles were eligible. Three themes emerged as potentially important areas of CRR practice that contribute to environmental footprint: energy consumption and data storage practices; usage of clinical consumables and waste management practices; and CRR activities related to staff and patient travel.
Key components of CRR practice that influence environmental impact were identified, which could serve as a framework for exploring greener practice interventions. Widening the scope of research, education and awareness is imperative to providing a holistic appreciation of the environmental burden of healthcare.
Encouraging eco-friendly travelling options, leveraging artificial Intelligence (AI) and CRR specific policies to optimise utilisation of resources such as energy and radiopharmaceuticals are recommended for a greener practice.
在更广泛的减少人类活动对环境影响的背景下，医疗保健中的环境可持续性（ES）是当前的一个重要挑战。确定使临床放射学和放射治疗（CRR）实践更具环境可持续性的关键途径，将为提供更绿色的临床服务提供框架。本研究旨在探索和整合有关 CRR 部门 ES 的现有证据，为更绿色的实践、教育和研究提供综合指南。
在六个数据库中进行了系统的文献搜索和对各种证据（包括定性、定量和混合方法）的研究综述。采用系统评价和荟萃分析的首选报告项目（PRISMA）指南和用于评估不同设计研究的质量评估工具（QATSDD）来评估纳入的研究。采用基于结果的收敛数据综合方法来整合研究结果。
共确定了 162 篇文章。应用预定义的排除标准后，有 14 篇文章符合条件。三个主题作为 CRR 实践中可能对环境足迹有重要贡献的领域出现：能源消耗和数据存储实践；临床消耗品的使用和废物管理实践；以及与员工和患者旅行相关的 CRR 活动。
确定了影响环境影响的 CRR 实践的关键组成部分，这些组成部分可以作为探索更绿色实践干预措施的框架。扩大研究、教育和意识的范围对于全面了解医疗保健的环境负担至关重要。
鼓励环保出行选择，利用人工智能（AI）和 CRR 特定政策优化能源和放射性药物等资源的利用，建议进行更绿色的实践。
