Transformative leadership in education: Integrating sustainable healthcare into undergraduate primary care curriculum

Abstract

Background: Healthcare education must evolve to address one of the greatest public health challenges we face in delivering care that allows future generations to meet their own healthcare needs. The integration of sustainable healthcare practices into medical education is a key step towards environmentally responsible healthcare delivery. Educational leadership plays a crucial role in transforming curricula in a way that prepares our future workforce to better understand and contribute to addressing emerging healthcare challenges. The integration of sustainable healthcare principles into primary care education requires strategic leadership to navigate institutional complexities and ensure meaningful change. Methods: Our team at Imperial College London, comprising both faculty members and student partners, examined the undergraduate primary care curriculum, drawing on the Medical Schools Council sustainable health framework and practical case studies, with the goal of incorporating sustainable healthcare principles. Results: In this paper, we share the process and our framework for integration of sustainable healthcare principles into our curriculum. For educators looking to embark on similar transformations, we share our reflections on the challenges, our solutions and top tips from our experience. Conclusions: We hope our experience and reflections will give educational leaders and institutions a roadmap to prepare future doctors for the challenges of delivering environmentally sustainable healthcare