Promoting sustainability activities in clinical radiography practice and education in resource-limited countries: A discussion paper.

Autor: Ohene-Botwe B; Department of Midwifery & Radiography, School of Health & Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Benard.ohene-botwe@city.ac.uk., Amedu C; Department of Midwifery & Radiography, School of Health & Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: cletus.amedu@city.ac.uk., Antwi WK; Department of Radiography, School of Biomedical & Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana. Electronic address: wkantwi@ug.edu.gh., Abdul-Razak W; Department of Medical Imaging, Fatima College of Health Sciences, AI Ain, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: Wuni.abdulrazak@cctvet.gov.ae., Kyei KA; Department of Radiography, School of Biomedical & Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana. Electronic address: kakyei@ug.edu.gh., Arkoh S; Department of Radiology, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sammy.arkoh@nhs.net., Mudadi LS; Royal Papworth Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Electronic address: leoncemarley@gmail.com., Mushosho EY; Harare Institute of Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe. Electronic address: emushosho@hit.ac.zw., Bwanga O; Radiology Department, Midlands University Hospital Tullamore, Ireland. Electronic address: o.bwanga@yahoo.com., Chinene B; Harare Institute of Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe. Electronic address: bchinene@hit.ac.zw., Nyawani P; Harare Institute of Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe. Electronic address: pnyawani@hit.ac.zw., Mutandiro LC; Harare Institute of Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe. Electronic address: lmutandiro@hit.ac.zw., Piersson AD; Department of Imaging Technology & Sonography, University of Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana. Electronic address: albert.piersson@ucc.edu.gh.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Radiography (London, England : 1995) [Radiography (Lond)] 2024 Jun; Vol. 30 Suppl 1, pp. 56-61. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 20.
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.06.007
Abstrakt: Objective: Urgent global action is required to combat climate change, with radiographers poised to play a significant role in reducing healthcare's environmental impact. This paper explores radiography-related activities and factors in resource-limited departments contributing to the carbon footprint and proposes strategies for mitigation. The rationale is to discuss the literature regarding these contributing factors and to raise awareness about how to promote sustainability activities in clinical radiography practice and education in resource-limited countries.
Key Findings: The radiography-related activities and factors contributing to the carbon footprint in resource-limited countries include the use of old equipment and energy inefficiency, insufficient clean energy to power equipment, long-distance commuting for radiological examinations, high film usage and waste, inadequate training and research on sustainable practices, as well as limited policies to drive support for sustainability. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, financial assistance and partnerships are needed to adopt eco-friendly technologies and clean energy sources to power equipment, thus tackling issues related to old equipment and energy inefficiency. Transitioning to digital radiography can mitigate the environmental impact of high film usage and waste, while collaboration between governments, healthcare organisations, and international stakeholders can improve access to radiological services, reducing long-distance commuting. Additionally, promoting education programmes and research efforts in sustainability will empower radiographers with the knowledge to practice sustainably, complemented by clear policies such as green imaging practices to guide and incentivise the adoption of sustainable practices. These integrated solutions can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of radiography activities in resource-limited settings while enhancing healthcare delivery.
Conclusion: Radiography-related activities and factors in resource-limited departments contributing to the carbon footprint are multifaceted but can be addressed through concerted efforts.
Implications for Practice: Addressing the challenges posed by old equipment, energy inefficiency, high film usage, and inadequate training through collaborative efforts and robust policy implementation is essential for promoting sustainable radiography practices in resource-limited countries. Radiographers in these countries need to be aware of these factors contributing to the carbon footprint and begin to work with the relevant stakeholders to mitigate them. Furthermore, there is a need for them to engage in education programmes and research efforts in sustainability to empower them with the right knowledge and understanding to practice sustainably.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement None.
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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