[Sustainability in urology: from vision to implementation : Results from a member survey conducted by the German Society of Urology].

Abstract

Healthcare is closely linked to climate change: on the one hand, climate change has negative effects on (urological) health; on the other hand, resource intensive patient care has negative effects on global warming. Currently, there is a lack of data on current status, potential benefits, barriers, and expectations regarding environmental sustainability among urologists practicing in Germany. Thus, a survey was conducted among members of the German Society of Urology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie e. V., DGU). The 339 participants consider sustainability to be relevant. While sustainable urology is associated with more efficient use of resources, cost reductions, and a stronger contribution to societal responsibility, the main barriers identified are low prioritization in daily practice, lack of clarity regarding ecological effects of individual measures, and insufficient personnel and financial resources. Members of the DGU who took part in the survey consider sustainability to be an important area of action that has seen little practical implementation to date. They call for support from professional associations, industry, politics, and research in terms of education, strategies, prioritization, and financing for sustainable action in urology.