Sustainability in urology: from vision to implementation: Results from a member survey conducted by the German Society of Urology Nachhaltigkeit in der Urologie: Vom Anspruch zur Umsetzung: Ergebnisse einer Mitgliederbefragung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie e. V.

Thöne M, Wullich B, Heinrichs A, Siech C, Eggersmann C, Ahlers M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Abstract

Healthcare is closely linked to climate change: on the one hand, climate change has negative effects on (urological) health; on the other hand, resource intensive patient care has negative effects on global warming. Currently, there is a lack of data on current status, potential benefits, barriers, and expectations regarding environmental sustainability among urologists practicing in Germany. Thus, a survey was conducted among members of the German Society of Urology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie e. V., DGU). The 339 participants consider sustainability to be relevant. While sustainable urology is associated with more efficient use of resources, cost reductions, and a stronger contribution to societal responsibility, the main barriers identified are low prioritization in daily practice, lack of clarity regarding ecological effects of individual measures, and insufficient personnel and financial resources. Members of the DGU who took part in the survey consider sustainability to be an important area of action that has seen little practical implementation to date. They call for support from professional associations, industry, politics, and research in terms of education, strategies, prioritization, and financing for sustainable action in urology.

Authors with CRIS profile

Bernd Wullich Lehrstuhl für Urologie

Involved external institutions

Prof. Bruhn and Partner AG

Switzerland (CH) Centre hospitalier universitaire de Grenoble

France (FR) Universitätsklinikum Brandenburg an der Havel

Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main (KGU)

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Thöne, M., Wullich, B., Heinrichs, A., Siech, C., Eggersmann, C., & Ahlers, M. (2026). Sustainability in urology: from vision to implementation: Results from a member survey conducted by the German Society of Urology Nachhaltigkeit in der Urologie: Vom Anspruch zur Umsetzung: Ergebnisse einer Mitgliederbefragung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie e. V. Die Urologie. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00120-026-02906-4

MLA:

Thöne, Marlene, et al. "Sustainability in urology: from vision to implementation: Results from a member survey conducted by the German Society of Urology Nachhaltigkeit in der Urologie: Vom Anspruch zur Umsetzung: Ergebnisse einer Mitgliederbefragung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie e. V." Die Urologie (2026).