Environmental sustainability in healthcare: Time to make outpatient care in orthopaedics and rheumatology greener.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Chronic musculoskeletal conditions affect billions of individuals and constitute the greatest contributor to disability worldwide. Climate change has a negative impact on these conditions, causing a rising number of patients seeking medical attention in outpatient orthopaedic and rheumatology clinics. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of care by these facilities tends to become more energy-intensive due to the increased usage of protective equipment and testing for the purpose of maintaining hygienic conditions. Therefore, practitioners and health bodies in the field need to take action to make their practice more environmentally sustainable and protect both the environment and their patients. METHODS: The authors searched peer reviewed and grey literature for relevant sources. RESULTS: The present review of the literature provides an overview of the environmental pollution associated with outpatient musculoskeletal care and discusses evidence-based recommendations from previous studies. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine, rationalised use of consumables and equipment, physician-led climate advocacy and patient education have a major potential to turn the tide.