Sustainability as an ecosystem: concerted efforts are needed

To reach the United Nation’s Sustainability Goals, participation and engagement from key stakeholders are required. Healthcare’s activities have been described as a value constellation which goes beyond the idea of value chain to define the complexity of the ‘value-creating system’.1 Sustainable healthcare is a value constellation in which different stakeholders across various sectors operate around healthcare delivery through services, goods, design, and social value.(1)

The process of involving stakeholders starts with identifying a long list of stakeholders, prioritizing these stakeholders, and then engaging them in meaningful ways. The number and nature of stakeholders can defer based on an organization’s geographic location and main activities. In general, however, examples of healthcare include health providers, allied health professionals, non-health employees, patients and their families, patient associations, sub-contractors, regional and national health authorities and governments, universities and research centres, non-governmental organizations and healthcare networks, professional consortia, health technology industry, pharmaceutical industry, and suppliers.

Once the list of stakeholders is complete, it is important to prioritize or select key players who will support the organization in its sustainability efforts. This selection can be informed by each stakeholder’s interest in sustainability and their influence on the system. Key allies will be those who are interested in healthcare sustainability and have the decision-making authority to support the transition. In some instances, however, an organization may want to consider those who have an interest in sustainability, but with limited decision power. For example, patients and junior employees may want to see a more sustainable health organization and can provide valuable perspectives albeit will not be able to implement the change.

Once stakeholders have been selected, it is critical to continuously engage them throughout the sustainability transition. This could include gathering feedback on an organization’s action plans for sustainability, its reduction targets, and the needful for achieving these targets. Representation from various stakeholders can amplify efforts, promote knowledge exchange, encourage creativity and innovation, and support organizations in adopting a health systems approach to sustainability.

Source:

1. A multi-stakeholder perspective on sustainable healthcare: From 2030 onwards. Futures. 2020 Sep;122:102605.