Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Students from the Thesis Labs of Leiden-Delft-Rotterdam Universities share their experiences in Lablogs. What did they discover so far in their Lab? Tamar van Doorn, master’s student in both Healthcare management at the Erasmus University Rotterdam and Medicine at Leiden University (LUMC), participates in the Thesis Lab 'Sustainable Healthcare'.
This Thesis Lab is a collaboration between LDE Centre for Sustainability and Medical Delta and aims to make healthcare more environmental friendly. “I have seen many opportunities to make ambulance care more environmentally friendly.”
Visiting the green OR
"Two weeks ago, we visited the OR center in the LUMC, to assess its sustainability efforts. Prof. Dr. Frank Willem Jansen gave a tour and told us about the sustainable efforts taken by the LUMC and the challenges they are still facing. The sustainable 'green OR' left a great impression on the group. However, it became apparent that more measures could be implemented to enhance sustainability. Nonetheless, the green OR was an inspiring glimpse into the potential for further environmental initiatives within healthcare settings."
Sustainable Ambulance Care
"My thesis is about enhancing sustainability in ambulance care, especially at the RAVHM in Leiden. At the beginning of my research, it became clear that sustainability efforts at the RAVHM are still in their infancy. Since I have a medical background, I got the chance to join ambulance rides to observe sustainable behavior in action. These firsthand experiences have underscored the potential for improvement and the numerous opportunities available to make ambulance care more environmentally friendly.
At this moment (end of April, red.), I am in the middle of my interviews which will give me a deeper understanding of the complexities the RAVHM faces in implementing sustainable initiatives. The most important principles of their work are action-based and lifesaving. So, the question arises: how can these essential aspects be combined with sustainability?
This is a question that my interviewees and I have discussed in detail. But I also had the opportunity to discuss it further with the other students of the Sustainable Healthcare Thesis Lab, consisting of students the universities of Delft, Leiden, and Rotterdam. Interacting with participants from diverse disciplines has provided me with valuable insights and perspectives that I would otherwise not have encountered."
New ways
"In the Lab program, we all focus on different aspects of sustainable healthcare, but we can already see overarching difficulties and opportunities. Furthermore, I have learned new approaches to problem-solving which helped me in doing my research on sustainability in ambulance care. Engaging in the Sustainable Thesis Lab has offered me a platform to address sustainable challenges by applying my academic expertise in medicine and management. I'm enthusiastic about continuing my research and exploring ways to improve sustainability in ambulance care. Additionally, I am eager to deepen my involvement with RAVHM to grasp the wider implications of transitioning towards sustainable ambulance care, ‘To Stay Green at the Scene’. Looking ahead, I'm genuinely excited about the upcoming months of research and field trips!"
Students participating in the Thesis Lab Sustainable Healthcare present their research outcomes and discuss conclusions and recommendations during a Round Table on June 25th in Delft. More information can be found here.
