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

Yıl 2025, Sayı: Special Issue: Crisis Entangled – Reimagining the Social in Turbulent Times, 105 - 118, 30.10.2025

Merve Kişi , Selin Kalender , Ayşe Nurselin Ok

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Environmental sustainability , climate change , healthcare professionals , phenomenology , qualitative research

Çevresel Sürdürülebilirlik ve İklim Krizi: Kurumsal Hazırlık ve Bireysel Farkındalık Üzerine Nitel Bir Çalışma

Öz

İklim değişikliği ve çevresel sürdürülebilirlik, sağlık sistemleri içinde giderek önem kazanmaktadır. Ancak sağlık çalışanlarının bu konudaki algı ve deneyimlerine yönelik bilgi sınırlıdır. Bu çalışma, kamu hastanelerinde görev yapan sağlık çalışanlarının çevresel sürdürülebilirlik ve iklim değişikliğine yönelik algılarını, deneyimlerini ve tutumlarını anlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Tanımlayıcı fenomenolojik desende yürütülen araştırma, Giorgi’nin (2005) fenomenolojik yaklaşımı temel alınarak yapılandırılmıştır. Veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile kamu hastanelerinde çalışan 10 sağlık çalışanı ile yapılan derinlemesine birebir görüşmelerle toplanmıştır. Görüşme formu literatür ve uzman görüşleri doğrultusunda hazırlanmış, ses kaydı ile toplanan veriler Giorgi’nin beş aşamalı analiz yöntemi kullanılarak çözümlenmiştir: bütüncül okuma, anlam birimlerinin belirlenmesi, psikolojik yönelimli dönüştürme, temel yapının oluşturulması ve tematik kodlama. Katılımcıların ifadeleri, çevresel farkındalık, kurumsal uygulamalar, karşılaşılan engeller ve çözüm önerileri gibi temalarda bütünleşmiştir. Sağlık çalışanları, iklimsel sürdürülebilirlik açısından bireysel farkındalıkların artırılması, kurumsal destek mekanizmalarının geliştirilmesi ve sürdürülebilir uygulamaların teşvik edilmesi gerektiğini vurgulamıştır. Sağlık çalışanlarının yaşantısal deneyimlerinin anlaşılması, iklim dirençli sağlık hizmetleri uygulamalarını desteklemek açısından önemlidir. Bulgular, kurumsal politikalar, eğitim programları ve gelecekteki araştırmalar için yol gösterici olabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Çevresel sürdürülebilirlik , iklim değişikliği , sağlık çalışanları , fenomenoloji , nitel araştırma

Kaynakça

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