Interventional pain physician beliefs on climate change: A Spine Intervention Society (SIS) survey

Abstract

Summary of background dataAlthough evaluated within other specialties, physicians’ beliefs towards climate change and human health have not been described within Interventional Pain Medicine (IPM). Understanding belief systems is essential for developing solutions to build sustainable practices. ObjectivesAssess beliefs toward climate change within the field of IPM. MethodsSpine Intervention Society (SIS) members were invited to participate in an anonymous RedCap survey by email, social media, and advertisement at the 2022 SIS Annual Meeting. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were estimated using Chi-Square (significance: p < 0.05). ResultsOne hundred and seventy-five participants responded to the survey. Participants most often identified as white (66 %; 95 % CI 57–73 %), male (78 %; 95 % CI 71–84 %), and from the United States (US) (76 %; CI 95 % 58–72 %), with 87 % (n = 123/141; 95 % CI 82–93 %) agreeing that climate change is happening (agree or strongly agree). While 78 % (95 % CI 80–92 %) agree that climate change and sustainability are important to them, only 47 % (95 % CI 34–51 %) agree that these are important to their patients. Those beliefs did not differ by age or geographical area (p > 0.05). However, physicians in non-leadership positions are more likely to disagree or strongly disagree that climate change is important to them (χ2(2) = 15.98; p < 0.05), to their patients (χ2(2) = 17.21; p < 0.05), or that societies should advocate for climate policies (χ2(2) = 9.19; p < 0.05). Non-US physicians were more likely to believe that physicians have responsibilities to bring awareness to the health effects of climate change (χ2(2) = 6.58; p < 0.05) and to agree that climate change is important to their patients (χ2(2) = 10.50; p < 0.05). Discussion/conclusionUnderstanding specialty-specific physician views on climate change is essential for developing solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of medical practice and improve sustainability. The majority of SIS members believe that climate change is happening. Non-US physicians and physician-leaders are more likely to believe that climate change impacts their patients and that societies should advocate for climate policies.