Comparisons of healthcare personnel relating to awareness, concern, motivation, and behaviours of climate and health: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aim(s)

To describe a sample of healthcare professionals' responses to the valid and reliable Climate and Health Tool and compare participant characteristics relating to Climate and Health Tool subscales.

Design

Observational, cross-sectional, multi-site study.

Methods

An electronic survey containing the Climate and Health Tool was administered to healthcare professionals across a large, multi-state health system in the Western United States with a committed effort to reducing carbon emissions.

Results

One thousand three hundred and sixty-three participants reported moderately elevated levels of awareness and concern around climate impacts on health and motivation to participate in climate protective actions. Respondents reported moderate levels of climate-protecting behaviours at home and low levels at work. Females were more concerned and motivated. Medical staff and respondents reporting familiarity with system environmental initiatives reported more awareness and behaviours at home to preserve climate health.

Conclusion

Healthcare professionals are concerned and motivated to decrease climate impacts on health yet take little action at work to preserve the climate. Because of the intersection of climate change, health, and healthcare, healthcare organizations should prioritize and support meaningful action for healthcare professionals to meet community climate health needs.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Healthcare organizations committed to contributing to climate solutions can use this research to increase healthcare professionals' education, engagement, and impact to preserve the climate and health of communities.

Impact

Healthcare is a major contributor to carbon emissions, yet healthcare professionals' awareness, motivation, concern, and behaviours related to climate change and health were not clear. Our research showed healthcare professionals are aware and concerned about climate impacts on health but reported low levels of workplace behaviours to protect the climate. The findings of our research will impact healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations to focus efforts on climate-preserving behaviours.

Reporting Method

This manuscript followed the STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

None.