SHE Masterclass 2018 Review

The 2018 Sustainable Healthcare Education masterclass took place in Islington on 11th September 2018, organised by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH). Over 20 educators and students gathered to discuss strategies and actions for integrating planetary health and sustainable healthcare into the undergraduate medical curriculum. 

A team of expert speakers in the field of sustainable healthcare led a full programme of interactive sessions. Dr Sarah Walpole Honorary Lecturer, Hull York Medical School, started the day with a thought-provoking session on the broad and interdisciplinary concept of ‘planetary health’, sparking fruitful debate on the benefits of this term, discussion on what methods could be used to make public health more relevant to undergraduates and methods of teaching a subject that cross-cuts traditional subject boundaries.  Anaesthetist, Dr Cliff Shelton, followed on by giving an inspiring insight into how he engages Keele University medical students with sustainable healthcare using clinical examples and personal stories.  Click here to browse resources that Cliff has developed.

The health of humanity depends on the health of our planet. Our future depends on strengthening both - The Rockefeller Foundation

Dr Kathleen Leedham-Green, Medical Education Fellow, Imperial College London & Dr Frances Mortimer, Medical Director, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare explained why “sustainability is the core of healthcare quality”.  They introduced a number of implementation toolkits, such as SusQI, and gave examples illustrating how sustainable healthcare concepts can be integrated into quality improvement teaching.

Throughout the day there were opportunities to network and form a ‘community of practice’. Kim Croasdale from the Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) commended the SDU’s regional ambassador network as an additional structure that could support the SHE community.

“Really useful day. Provided lots of food for thought, and gave me ideas for next steps.”

The conference was rounded up by getting groups of educators to consider what practical steps they would take on returning to their institutions to grow the sustainability agenda. This provided a good focus and application of the day’s learning.

“The SHE Masterclass 2018 gave delegates a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge on the latest topics in sustainable healthcare, an emerging area of key importance, and to continue forming a ‘community of practice’. We’re looking forward to further SHE events already!”

To join the SHE network and to hear about further events click here!