Education for sustainable healthcare: A transdisciplinary approach to transversal environmental threats

Med Teach. 2020 Oct;42(10):1102-1106. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2020.1795101. Epub 2020 Aug 3.

Abstract

Global Environmental Changes are dynamic and complex, crossing disciplines, sectors, regions, and populations and shaping the health of current and future generations. GECs present an unprecedented challenge demanding a response of equal scale and complexity involving unfettered collaboration beyond disciplines with implications for global health. At this critical point, health professions' education should have moved on from building consensus about the relevance of education for sustainable healthcare (ESH) to active implementation. In this commentary, we discuss why transdisciplinary problem-solving and interprofessional education should be considered in education for sustainable healthcare. We review types of collaborative educational practices, outline opportunities, challenges, and resources to enable implementation.

Keywords: Education for sustainable healthcare; health professions’ education; transdisciplinary.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care*
  • Health Facilities*
  • Humans
  • Problem Solving