Advancing environmental sustainability concepts in medical radiation science education: A document analysis

IF 2.8 Q2 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

Radiography Pub Date : 2025-07-12 DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2025.103090

J.L. Ago , A. Kilgour , M. Chau , B. Ohene-Botwe , B. Ofori-Manteaw , C.L. Smith , G. Acquah , T.N. Akudjedu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Medical radiation science (MRS) practices contribute significantly to the carbon footprint of healthcare. As the need for environmental sustainability (ES) increases, it is crucial to integrate ES concepts into MRS education curricula to prepare students for environmentally sustainable professional practice. Consequently, this document analysis examined current ES practices in MRS education and identified barriers and improvement strategies.

Methods

A qualitative document analysis was conducted following the ‘READ’ (Readying, Extracting, Analysing, Distilling) approach. Data were retrieved from two databases (Scopus and PubMed) and MRS-specific journals and professional websites. Studies and documents published between 2015 to February 2025 that addressed ES practices, barriers, and improvement strategies in MRS education were included. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

A total of 2330 articles and documents were identified, 11 of which met the selection criteria. Three themes emerged: (i) current ES practices in MRS education, (ii) barriers to improving ES practices in MRS education, and (iii) strategies for enhancing ES training. ES practices in MRS education include patient safety education through risk-benefit analysis and fostering research and collaboration, while insufficient knowledge and awareness and limited capacity (funding, resources, and time) were barriers identified. Strategies for improvement included raising ES awareness and adopting environmentally sustainable teaching practices.

Conclusion

MRS education and training incorporate ES practices in line with the global call for sustainable health professions education. Nonetheless, awareness creation and adoption of ES-oriented pedagogies could enhance MRS students’ confidence and attitudes towards planetary health.

Implication for practice

To advance ES practices in MRS curricula, educators should practically incorporate them into teaching, learning, and assessment activities. This could be achieved through problem-based learning, case studies, interdisciplinary learning, and including ES concepts in rubrics.

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在医学放射学教育中推进环境可持续性理念：文献分析

医学辐射科学（MRS）实践对医疗保健的碳足迹贡献巨大。随着对环境可持续性（ES）的需求增加，将ES概念纳入MRS教育课程以使学生为环境可持续的专业实践做好准备是至关重要的。因此，本文分析了MRS教育中当前的ES实践，并确定了障碍和改进策略。方法采用READ（制备、提取、分析、蒸馏）方法进行定性文献分析。数据从两个数据库（Scopus和PubMed）和mrs专用期刊和专业网站检索。2015年至2025年2月期间发表的研究和文件包括了MRS教育中的ES实践、障碍和改进策略。采用定性内容分析法对资料进行分析。结果共筛选到2330篇文献，其中11篇符合筛选标准。出现了三个主题：(i)目前生态系统教育中的生态系统实践，（ii）改善生态系统教育实践的障碍，以及（iii）加强生态系统培训的策略。ES在MRS教育中的实践包括通过风险-收益分析和促进研究与合作进行患者安全教育，而知识和意识不足以及能力有限（资金、资源和时间）是确定的障碍。改善策略包括提高环保意识和采用环保的教学方法。结论mrs教育和培训纳入了ES实践，符合全球可持续卫生职业教育的要求。尽管如此，提高认识和采用面向es的教学法可以增强MRS学生对地球健康的信心和态度。为了在MRS课程中推进ES实践，教育者应该实际地将其纳入教学、学习和评估活动中。这可以通过基于问题的学习、案例研究、跨学科学习以及将ES概念纳入大纲来实现。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Radiography RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

34.60%

发文量

169

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： Radiography is an International, English language, peer-reviewed journal of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. Radiography is the official professional journal of the College of Radiographers and is published quarterly. Radiography aims to publish the highest quality material, both clinical and scientific, on all aspects of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy and oncology.