Carmen Álvarez-Nieto, Laura Parra-Anguita, Cristina Álvarez-García, Eva Maria Montoro Ramirez, María Dolores López-Franco, Sebastián Sanz-Martos, Isabel María López Medina
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
In light of the world’s accelerating march towards a sustainable future, the education for sustainable healthcare must be sufficiently acknowledged in health professions curricula. Early integration of these competences into nursing degree programme emphasizes its importance and applicability. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of an educational sustainability intervention in higher education to change nursing students’ attitudes towards sustainability and climate change, and environmental awareness.
Design/methodology/approach
A quasi-experimental study was performed with repeated measures between September 2019 and May 2023. Undergraduate students were introduced to sustainability and climate change in the context of healthcare using scenario-based learning and augmented reality over the courses in nursing degree. Participants' attitudes and awareness were collected by online questionnaires.
Findings
The educational intervention showed effectiveness in significantly improving attitudes towards climate change and sustainability, and the environmental awareness for changing their clinical practice (p < 0.01). However, students struggled to apply sustainability and address unsustainable practices in healthcare settings.
Originality/value
This study shows an effective model of curricular sustainability that can be implemented in other universities and health disciplines. The findings highlighting the importance of sustainability education in nursing and its potential to drive positive change in healthcare practice and society at large. Embedding key topics aligned with sustainable development goals in the curriculum prepares nursing or health workforce to address planetary health and implement sustainable practices that provide climate-smart care.
期刊介绍:
The aim of International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education is to provide up-to-date information on new developments and trends on sustainability in a higher education context, and to catalyse networking and information exchange on sustainable development as a whole, and on the SDGs in particular, on a global basis. Authors are invited to submit papers from the following areas: Environmental management systems, Sustainable development, Sustainable Development Goals, Curricular innovation, Campus greening, Operational aspects of universities, Energy, water, recycling, waste management, Planning and design of campuses, Environmental reports, Environmental policies and action plans, Staff and student initiatives. Other themes associated to the above or emerging topics will also be considered