Conference Agenda

This study explores patient perspectives on hospital sustainability initiatives. Building on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, 30 interviews with patients reveal support for sustainability such as the use of reusable medical textiles, provided safety and quality are maintained. Patients view sustainability as a hospital responsibility, but value integrating sustainability communication into patient journeys. Informing and engaging patients can help shift sustainability from a background initiative into a trusted part of the healthcare system with patients as informed partners.

Circular economy strategies like refurbishing and upgrading are gaining insterest in healthcare, but their adoption depends on several factors linked to social acceptance, technical and economic feasibility. The study examines these factors through a survey among medical practitioners in a French hospital. Results show that technical reliability, long-term performance, and access to new functionalities are key factors, while environmental, cost benefits and physical appereance are secondary. The study offers insights for designers to enhance sustainability of circular medical devices.

Pharmaceutical waste (PW) poses environmental, economic and public health challenges, yet effective solutions remain underexplored. This study used a co-design approach across two NHS Scotland workshops to examine medicine-use experiences and generate interventions. Three concepts emerged: transparent patient packaging, a tactile communication aid and a gamified virtual medicine-cabinet app, highlighting the value of bottom-up design methods for addressing PW.

This study explores how designing reuse models for clinical trial packaging can stimulate circular transitions in healthcare logistics. Using a Design Inclusive Research approach, four reuse models were explored, developed and evaluated through a Product-Service System lens together with stakeholders from the value chain. Findings underline the complexity of implementing RPSs in the clinical trial context. Implementing circular solutions therefore demands an added design layer focused on quality assurance, along with new protocols, digitalisation, partnerships, scale, and standardization.