Understanding surgeons’ preference for reusable surgical materials in laparoscopic surgery: A global cross-sectional survey

Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 546, pp. 147796

Abstract

Making surgical practice more sustainable can substantially reduce healthcare's environmental impact, for example by adopting reusable surgical materials. However, a gap exists between surgeons' beliefs about the necessity to reduce this environmental impact and their adoption of reusable materials. This study examines psychological factors explaining surgeons' preference for reusable surgical materials in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, to inform strategies promoting sustainable practice. Secondary analyses were conducted using global survey data from 594 surgeons (M age =45 years; 70.7% male) in 75 countries. Results showed that for trocars and surgical drapes, core explanatory variables for choosing reusable over disposable items are beliefs about personal responsibility for reducing surgical practice's environmental impact, whether changing towards sustainable surgical practice is perceived to be worth the strain on healthcare, and perceived collegial support. Preference for reusable clip applicators is statistically predicted by belief in surgical practice's need to reduce environmental impact, with other relevant variables varying by subsample. Preference for reusable gowns is predicted by beliefs about the need to reduce environmental impact, whether sustainable change is worth the strain, and perceived collegial support. Bayesian analysis showed extreme evidence for all models. These results provide stakeholders with concrete starting points to further examine interventions aimed at promoting sustainable surgical practice. In conclusion, strengthening perceived collegial support for change towards sustainable surgical practice could be a viable general strategy to strengthen surgeons' preference for reusable surgical materials. However, the relative importance of psychological factors differs by material, suggesting interventions tailored to specific materials will be most effective. • Survey study on surgeons' preference for reusable surgical materials. • Focus on psychological predictors of preference in laparoscopic surgery. • Materials studied are trocars, clip applicators, drapes, and gowns. • Responsibility and social norms are key psychological factors. • Material-specific interventions may best promote reusable material use.

Authors 6

1. Monique Chambon corresponding

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2. Stijn Bluiminck

   Radboud University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

3. Myrthe M.M. Eussen

   Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands

   NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands

4. Nicole D. Bouvy Aachen Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

5. Philip R. de Reuver

   Radboud University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands

6. Frenk van Harreveld

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands