Environmental Sustainability and the Climate Crisis: A Qualitative Study on Institutional Preparedness and Individual Awareness

Authors : Merve Kişi, Selin Kalender, Ayşe Nurselin Ok
Pages : 105-118
Doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1770205
View : 226 | Download : 290
Publication Date : 2025-10-30
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Climate change and environmental sustainability are increasingly recognized as critical issues within healthcare systems. However, there is limited understanding of how healthcare professionals perceive and experience these challenges in their daily practice. This study aims to explore healthcare professionals’ perceptions, experiences, and attitudes toward environmental sustainability and climate change within public hospitals. Designed as a descriptive phenomenological study, the research was based on Giorgi’s phenomenological approach. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, and technicians) working in public hospitals. The interview form was developed by the researchers through a comprehensive literature review and expert validation. Interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed in five stages using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method: holistic reading, identification of meaning units, transformation into psychological expressions, construction of the essential structure, and thematic coding. The findings revealed common themes related to environmental awareness, institutional practices, perceived barriers, and proposed solutions for climate-resilient healthcare. Participants’ statements converged around themes such as environmental sustainability awareness, institutional practices, encountered barriers, and proposed solutions. Understanding healthcare professionals’ lived experiences provides a foundation for promoting climate-resilient healthcare practices. The findings can inform institutional policies, training programs, and future research aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability in healthcare settings.
Keywords : Çevresel sürdürülebilirlik, iklim değişikliği, sağlık çalışanları, fenomenoloji, nitel araştırma

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