[Sustainable transformation of practices and outpatient clinics]

Climate change as a consequence of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂e) favors weather extremes. This challenges the healthcare system to cope with negative consequences and to remain functional at the same time. Despite rising costs and shortage of staff, sick people in an aging society must be increasingly cared for in a resource-efficient and climate-neutral manner without compromising the quality of care.

This article summarizes current challenges for practices and outpatient clinics due to climate change and societal transformation. In addition, steps to implement transformative interventions are discussed.

Selective literature review in PubMed database was conducted on the impact of climate change on the healthcare system, crisis resilience, climate management, overprescription, and co-benefits.

Crisis-resilient practices are attuned to challenges resulting from climate change. Communicating co-benefits in the physician-patient conversation can accelerate the transformation to a sustainable society.

Rapidly changing environmental conditions require adaptation on the part of the healthcare system. Education and prevention are key to meet this challenge. Transformation to sustainable practices is an ongoing process and it represents a holistic concept that encompasses social, environmental, and economic aspects, which are interdependent and cannot be considered separately.