Charting a sustainable future in radiology: evaluating radiologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward environmental responsibility.

Objectives: This study assesses radiologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding healthcare sustainability. With radiology's substantial environmental impact, sustainable practices are crucial to reduce energy use, waste, and resource depletion. The study evaluates radiologists' awareness, engagement, and perceived barriers to sustainable practices in the UAE, identifying areas for improvement and intervention.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among UAE radiologists in hospitals, clinics, and medical centers from August to October 2024. Developed and piloted by the research team, the survey addressed demographic details, sustainability knowledge, attitudes, current practices, and implementation barriers. Convenience sampling yielded 111 responses, analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify trends and associations.

Results: The findings indicate moderate knowledge levels, with 31.8% of radiologists agreeing to understand sustainability concepts. While 36.4% strongly agreed on its importance, only 20% felt it was prioritized at their workplace. Key barriers included lack of training (40.5% agreed, 29.7% strongly agreed) and insufficient financial support (37.8% agreed, 25.2% strongly agreed). Digital documentation and waste-reduction practices were observed but varied in consistency.

Conclusion: Radiologists display a positive attitude toward sustainability but face significant implementation barriers, primarily in institutional support and resources. Addressing training gaps and increasing leadership commitment are essential to advancing sustainable practices. Future initiatives should emphasize policy support, education, and resource allocation to foster a sustainable radiology sector.

Critical relevance statement: This article critically examines radiologists' knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to sustainable practices, highlighting the need for institutional support and targeted training to advance environmental responsibility and sustainable practices within clinical radiology.

Key points: Radiologists support sustainability but lack knowledge of specific practices. Key challenges include limited training, support, and funding. Commitment, training, and resources are essential for sustainable radiology.