Green Hospital Awareness: Evidence from Healthcare Technician Students

TL;DR

This study examines green hospital awareness among healthcare technician students in Türkiye, finding moderate to high awareness but gaps in specific sustainability areas.

Contribution

The study highlights healthcare technicians as an under-recognized group in sustainability research and provides insights into their awareness levels.

Findings

Most students had no prior knowledge of green hospitals, but overall awareness was moderate to high.

Female students showed significantly higher awareness and scores in materials–resources subdimensions.

Water efficiency had the lowest awareness scores, indicating a key area for improvement.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Climate change and environmental degradation pose increasing public health threats, while healthcare systems significantly contribute through high energy use, water consumption, and waste generation. In hospital settings, healthcare technicians play a critical role, as their routine practices directly influence environmental sustainability. Despite this central role, healthcare technicians remain an under-recognized group in sustainability research and health policy. Green hospital practices therefore constitute a key public health strategy, requiring strategic management attention to this operational workforce. This study aimed to assess green hospital awareness among healthcare technician students in Türkiye and to examine associated sociodemographic factors from a public health perspective. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 313 students enrolled in health services vocational programs who were receiving hospital-based practical training. Data were collected using a personal information form and the validated Green Hospital Awareness Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman correlation analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Although most participants reported no prior knowledge of the green hospital concept, overall awareness levels were moderate to high. The highest mean scores were observed in indoor environmental quality and materials–resources subdimensions, whereas water efficiency scores were the lowest. Female students demonstrated significantly higher total awareness and materials–resources scores (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed by age or academic department. Conclusions: Healthcare technician students exhibit measurable green hospital awareness; however, important gaps remain in resource- and infrastructure-related sustainability domains. Strengthening educational and policy initiatives targeting this often-overlooked yet operationally essential workforce may improve environmentally responsible practices, enhance resource efficiency, and support sustainable healthcare systems and population health.