Climate change and health "through primary care physicians' eyes": a qualitative study in Greece

Despoina Vasileiadou, Ilias Pagkozidis, Kravvari Christina-Maria, Konstantinos C. Makris, Zoi Tsimtsiou

Keywords: climate change, health, health literacy, Primary Health Care, physicians, qualitative research, perceptions

Background:

Primary Care Physicians’ (PCP) role in caring for their community within the context of One Health, whilst strengthening climate resilience was acknowledged in the revised European Definition of General Practice. Data on PCPs’ awareness, climate crisis perceptions and their role are scarce. This study investigated PCPs’ stances regarding the impact of climate change on population health and how they conceptualize their professional responsibility in promoting environmental health and sustainability.

Research questions:

What are Greek PCPs’ perceptions regarding climate change, its consequences on health and their role in strengthening their community’s climate resilience?

Method:

A qualitative study was employed. PCPs with at least one year work experience participated in remotely-conducted, semi-structured, individual interviews, after signing informed consent forms. Interviews were recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used.

Results:

Fifteen PCPs across nine prefectures were interviewed (44±18 years old, 53% women, 12±6 years of experience). The majority acknowledged the climate crisis, recognizing its already-evident effects in the Greek population’s health: increased morbidity and mortality from extreme weather events; surge of allergies; increased non-communicable chronic diseases; upsurge of infectious diseases; overburdened mental health; and the impact of available food sources’ scarcity and inferior quality. Yet, few were unaware and unconvinced of climate change’s effects in their community. Underlining the fundamental patient-PCP trust and PCPs’ role in strengthening health literacy, most viewed highly of their involvement in educating their community about the climate crisis and its impact in health. Citing fatigue, knowledge gaps and state responsibility on the matter, few noted that raising their community’s awareness was not within their competences. Further training on climate-related health issues and sustainable medical practices was considered of utmost importance.

Conclusions:

Findings underscore the need for increased PCPs’ awareness, training and active involvement in advancing Planetary Health and sustainability. Strengthening health and environmental health literacy is key in shaping future-proof communities.

Points for discussion:

How can PCPs effectively elevate their community’s environmental consciousness?

How can PCPs fulfill their role and effectively intervene to promote and advance the health and wellbeing of patients and ecosystems?

In what ways has your practice’s workload been affected by climate change?

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