Trainees are the Future of Sustainability in Radiology
Using the untapped potential of trainees to fight climate change
Sustainability in health care is a complex but essential conversation every day, but especially around Earth Day. Recent research has shown that on a global scale, greenhouse gas emissions from the health care sector range from 5% to 8.5%. As a resource-intensive specialty, radiology impacts the environment in a variety of ways.
“Radiology significantly contributes to health care’s environmental footprint, particularly through energy-intensive imaging modalities like CT and MRI, the disposal of single-use materials, and the emissions associated with the production and transport of radiologic equipment,” said Charlotte Yong-Hing, MD, FRCPC, clinical associate professor of radiology and vice chair of equity, diversity and inclusion in radiology at the University of British Columbia in Canada.
Some radiology departments are already taking steps to reduce their environmental impact by installing energy-efficient MRI scanners, minimizing radiation doses and reducing single-use plastics in procedures whenever possible.
“Reducing this impact is essential not only for mitigating climate change, which has direct and indirect effects on public health, but also for aligning radiology with the broader health care sector’s sustainability goals,” Dr. Yong-Hing said.
However, these efforts are not standard or widespread. Equipping physicians with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable practices is a necessary task.
At the RSNA 2024 annual meeting, Dr. Yong-Hing and colleagues presented an education exhibit which detailed why trainee involvement in sustainability initiatives is imperative.
Trainees Eager for Sustainability Education
Part of Dr. Yong-Hing’s exhibit involved details of a survey sent via email and social media to medical students and residents across Canada to determine their knowledge and interest in sustainability in health care. The survey is ongoing, but one major theme that is already apparent is the level of interest that trainees have in sustainability.
“One interesting finding from our survey is the high level of enthusiasm among trainees for sustainability initiatives, coupled with frustration over limited opportunities to contribute meaningfully,” Dr. Yong-Hing said. “Trainees consistently highlighted the need for institutional leadership and formal frameworks to support sustainability efforts.”
Another area of consensus from the survey was trainees’ eagerness to have sustainability education incorporated into their medical school curriculum.
“Integrating sustainability into radiology education ensures that environmental considerations become a natural part of decision-making, ultimately leading to systemic and long-lasting change within the profession, Dr. Yong-Hing said.
As part of their education, trainees should be encouraged to participate in research projects on sustainability in radiology or participate in workshops that address various topics, such as waste management or energy-efficient imaging.
“One of the biggest benefits of engaging trainees in sustainability education is that they are the future of health care,” said Sonali Sharma, BSc, a co-investigator in Dr. Yong-Hing’s lab at the University of British Columbia and a Fulbright Scholar at Stanford Medicine, CA. “The policies and practices they adopt early in their careers will shape the medical field for decades to come.”
Trainees Can Be Sustainability Champions
As they represent the future of health care, radiology trainees are well positioned to make meaningful and substantial changes. Early exposure to sustainability via education creates long-term habits that they can carry on throughout their professional lives.
“Engaging trainees fosters a culture of environmental stewardship early in their careers, creating future leaders who prioritize sustainability,” Dr. Yong-Hing said.
New to the profession, trainees may be better equipped to look at sustainability through a fresh lens. They can ask questions and suggest solutions to how imaging services are distributed.
“The issue isn’t just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s about equity,” Sharma said. “If we can address inefficiencies in energy use and find ways to increase imaging services, we’re not only improving sustainability, we’re also making health care more accessible.”
According to Sharma, trainees are well suited to become sustainability champions who can facilitate collaboration across the administration by leading initiatives, spreading awareness and advocating for sustainability practices.
"Reducing this impact is essential not only for mitigating climate change, which has direct and indirect effects on public health, but also for aligning radiology with the broader health care sector’s sustainability goals.”
CHARLOTTE YONG-HING, MD, FRCPC
Getting Over the Hurdles to a Greener Future
There are still several barriers to trainee engagement in these initiatives. Instituting sustainable practices may not seem like a priority in a high-pressure clinical environment, and hospital administrations may be hesitant to alter existing processes.
Adding sustainability education to the core curriculum can equip trainees with a stronger voice, backed by knowledge, to advocate for its long-term benefits. These changes not only help the environment but can result in operational and financial improvements in the long run.
“The challenge is convincing leadership that sustainability isn’t just an ethical obligation but also a practical investment,” Sharma said. “Hospitals that adopt energy-efficient practices and better resource management often see financial benefits down the line.”
Sharma emphasized that comprehensive studies on energy consumption and sustainability in hospitals and clinics are still lacking. One of the next steps in their research will focus on the energy consumption practices of breast imaging centers throughout British Columbia.
“By identifying where inefficiencies lie, we can develop targeted solutions that improve sustainability without compromising patient care,” she said. Going forward, environmentally responsible practices need to be at the heart of the profession, as they affect not only the climate but people as well.
“Now more than ever, radiology must embrace sustainability as a core responsibility,” Dr. Yong-Hing said. “Environmental health and diversity, equity and inclusion are deeply interconnected—both strive to address systemic inequities that disproportionately impact marginalized populations.”
For More Information
Access RSNA's webpage on Environmental Sustainability in Imaging.
Read previous RSNA News articles on sustainability: