Mitigating Climate Impacts of “Hygiene Theatre” in Health Care: Perspectives of Primary Health Care Providers in Ontario, Canada

Background/Objectives: Hygiene theatre describes a diverse array of cleaning and sanitation protocols (such as the use of disinfectant sprays, or plexiglass dividers) that may provide a false sense of safety/security without actually or meaningfully reducing the risk of transmission of pathogens. Initially viewed as a humorous, but harmless, contrivance, the carbon footprint implications and climate impacts of unnecessary and unhelpful performative clinical activities is increasingly being scrutinized. This study examined primary health care providers’ perspectives on hygiene theatre and how to mitigate or reduce both its prevalence and its impact. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 17 family physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists were conducted. Results: The findings suggest that pervasive and persistent hygiene theatrics may reflect primary care providers’ inability to critically self-reflect on routinized clinical practices due to a lack of time, the inaccessibility of clinical evidence, and a lack of workplace supports. Conclusions: Addressing hygiene theatre may benefit from direction, guidance or regulation from external groups such as employers, unions, or licensing bodies. The further education of patients (who may have come to expect these theatrics) may also be necessary to better manage their expectations.