Sustainability and climate protection : Implications on patient-centered care in radiology

Abstract

Sustainability and patient-centered radiology (PCR) include amultivariant, complex network of synergic and opportunistic elements. PCR is asubfactor of the social element, climate protection is part of the ecological element, and sustainable economics are part of the financial element. We aimed to identify PCR-symbiotic and PCR-opposed elements of sustainability using literature research. This article will provide an overview of the core sustainability elements and innovative concepts for supporting PCR. Adigital literature search was carried out to identify scientific publications about sustainability and PCR via Medline. Results are provided as anarrative summary. In particular, the social component and parts of the ecological element of sustainability support PCR. Climate protection and anatural environment show apositive correlation with health and patient satisfaction. Patient contact improves the quality of the diagnostic report and promotes satisfaction of patients and radiologists. However, increasing economization is often conditionally compatible with the social core element of sustainability and especially with PCR. Digital tools can ease communication and improve reports in times of increasing workload. Socially and environmentally sustainable radiology supports the well-being of both employees and patients. Innovative concepts are necessary to balance the ecological elements of sustainability with employees' and patients' interests.