Perception of sustainability and environmental pollution from the perspective of anesthesiologists in Colombia: a mixed-methods study
This mixed-methods study of Colombian anesthesiologists reveals high environmental awareness and ethical commitment but identifies systemic barriers like administrative constraints and limited resources as the primary obstacles to implementing sustainable practices, highlighting the need for institutional policy and economic investment rather than relying solely on individual motivation.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
The operating room is a place of intense focus, where the primary goal is to keep a patient safe and pain-free during surgery. Yet, behind the scenes of these life-saving procedures, a quiet environmental cost accumulates. The healthcare industry, despite its mission to heal, leaves a significant footprint on the planet, contributing to global warming and pollution through energy use and massive amounts of waste. Anesthesia, the medical specialty responsible for keeping patients asleep and pain-free, plays a surprisingly large role in this impact. It relies heavily on single-use plastic items that are discarded after one use and potent gases that, when released into the air, trap heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide. While doctors in wealthy nations have begun to discuss how to make these practices greener, much of the world lacks data on how medical professionals in other regions view this challenge. Understanding whether doctors in different parts of the world recognize this problem and what stops them from fixing it is essential for creating solutions that work everywhere.
In a mid-sized city in southwestern Colombia called Popayán, a team of researchers set out to understand how local anesthesiologists perceive this environmental crisis. They wanted to know if these doctors saw the connection between their daily work and environmental damage, what specific problems they noticed most, and what stood in the way of making changes. The researchers gathered every active anesthesiologist and trainee in the region, a total of 85 people, and asked them to share their thoughts through an online survey and small group discussions. The result was a complete picture of the local medical community's perspective, revealing a group of doctors who are deeply aware of the problem but feel trapped by the system they work in.
The study found that nearly all the doctors surveyed, about 95 percent, agreed that sustainability is important to their profession. They also recognized that their work has a substantial impact on the environment. However, when asked to identify the biggest environmental threats in their daily routine, their answers pointed to something very visible: trash. Half of the participants said the production and poor management of single-use plastics and disposable supplies were their primary concern. They spoke with frustration about the sheer volume of syringes, rubber, and plastic barriers that end up in the waste bin after every surgery. While they also acknowledged that the gases used to keep patients asleep are harmful, the physical pile of plastic waste felt more immediate and tangible to them than the invisible emissions.
Despite this awareness, the doctors described a strong desire to do better. Most said they wanted to learn more about how to reduce their environmental footprint. They identified several ways they already tried to be more careful, such as choosing anesthesia techniques that use less gas, opting for regional blocks that numb only a specific part of the body, or using total intravenous anesthesia, which relies on drugs rather than gases. They also mentioned trying to be smarter about their supplies, such as preparing medications in a way that allows for safe reuse or recycling certain items like face masks. Some even made a conscious effort to turn off monitors and unplug chargers when not in use to save energy.
Yet, the path from intention to action is blocked by heavy obstacles. The most common barrier cited by the doctors was not a lack of will or knowledge, but a lack of resources. Nearly half of the respondents pointed to administrative and financial constraints as the main reason they cannot implement greener practices. They described a system where cost considerations and limited infrastructure force them to stick with old habits. For instance, while some doctors know that certain modern techniques are better for the environment, they cannot use them because the necessary equipment is too expensive or simply unavailable. Others noted that patient safety is the absolute priority, and in situations where infection control is a concern, they feel compelled to use disposable items even if they know it creates more waste. There is also a sense of inertia; changing established hospital protocols is difficult, and some colleagues are resistant to moving away from the methods they have always used.
The researchers concluded that while these Colombian anesthesiologists possess a strong ethical commitment to protecting the environment, individual motivation is not enough to drive change. The gap between knowing what is right and actually doing it is caused by systemic issues that no single doctor can fix alone. The study suggests that for sustainable practices to take root, hospitals and health systems must provide the necessary support, including better infrastructure, clear policies, and financial investment. Without these structural changes, the doctors' good intentions will remain just that, unable to translate into the daily reality of the operating room.
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