Health Technology and the Role of Human and Organisational Factors in Planetary Health: a Rapid Integrative Review of Current Literature

Summary

Objective: Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant challenges to human health and animal habitation, with healthcare contributing nearly 5% of global carbon emissions. Health technologies, such as telemedicine and electronic health records, offer potential environmental benefits by reducing travel and optimizing resource use. However, health technology impact is complex, and concerns have been raised about these technologies resulting in increased energy consumption, e-waste, and resource depletion.

Methods: This rapid integrative review explored the relationship between health technology and planetary health, and examined whether human and organizational factors (HOFs) were considered in this relationship. A structured literature search identified 14 studies examining the environmental impact of health technologies. Eleven of these studies focused on estimating carbon emission reductions due to decreased patient travel, primarily in the United States. No studies examined HOFs, despite the important role HOFs, such as institutional policies, technology design, or user behaviours play in influencing the environmental impact of health technologies.

Results: We recommend that future research adopts a systems-based approach, incorporating diverse methodologies to assess real-world impacts. Additionally, understanding how HOFs affect technology adoption and sustainability is crucial for maximizing planetary health benefits. This review showed that while digital health technologies can reduce healthcare-related carbon footprints, their overall environmental impact remains underexplored.

Conclusion: Addressing research gaps and integrating HOFs into future studies will be essential for designing and implementing sustainable healthcare solutions that align with planetary health goals.