Sustainability Archivi - HealthCareMaster HealthCareMaster

GREEN HOSPITAL: HEALTHCARE THAT RESPECTS THE ENVIRONMENT

June 6, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, the healthcare system is also called upon to play its part. This has led to the emergence of the Green Hospital concept—an innovative vision of hospitals and healthcare facilities not only as places for healing individuals, but also as champions of environmental protection and promoters of holistic health.

Green Hospitals stand out for their adoption of eco-friendly practices and management strategies aimed at reducing environmental impact, optimizing the use of natural resources, promoting energy efficiency, and encouraging sustainable behaviors. Environmental sustainability in healthcare is no longer an option, but a collective responsibility that translates into concrete and measurable actions.

Key initiatives undertaken by Green Hospitals include:

Designing buildings with low environmental impact;
Using renewable energy and smart systems to manage consumption;
Reducing medical waste and implementing circular economy practices;
Promoting sustainable mobility for both patients and staff;
Employing safe, eco-friendly materials;
Selecting suppliers who comply with minimum environmental criteria.

The Master’s programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma actively promote a culture of sustainability within the healthcare sector. The curriculum combines topics such as healthcare organization, risk management, technological innovation, and environmental economics, preparing professionals who are equipped to face current challenges and design more sustainable structures and processes.

Being a healthcare professional today also means actively contributing to a care system that respects the environment, prioritizes climate justice, and fosters well-being for future generations. Green Hospitals represent a new paradigm, where health is measured not only in clinical terms but also in relation to the balance with the ecosystem that sustains us. This vision is strongly supported by the University of Parma’s Healthcare Master’s programs, which are committed to training mindful, innovative, and responsible professionals.

ONE HEALTH: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO GLOBAL HEALTH

June 4, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In recent years, the growing interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health has led to a fundamental paradigm shift in public health and the training of health professionals. It is within this context that the One Health approach has emerged and gained strength, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the FAO, the OIE, and other international institutions, as an integrated response to global health challenges.

One Health is a strategy that recognizes the inextricable link between the health of people, animals, and the environment. The rise in diseases transmitted from animals to humans, the emergence of new infectious threats, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and biodiversity loss have highlighted the urgent need for shared, cross-sectoral health policies.

The One Health approach aims to:

foster collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, biologists, nurses, environmental scientists, and public health professionals;
integrate data and knowledge to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to complex health threats;
promote sustainable policies that protect ecosystems and improve the health of both human and animal communities.

In line with these goals, the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma promote multidisciplinary training based on an integrated public health model, aware of the interrelationships between health, environment, and society.

Adopting the One Health model means not only responding to current crises but also building a culture of prevention, sustainability, and global solidarity. For future health professionals, being trained with this vision is a strategic choice as well as an ethical responsibility. In a world where everything is connected, caring for health means caring for the world we live in.

HEALTHCARE DESIGN: RETHINKING SPACES TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND INCLUSION

May 27, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In today’s healthcare landscape, the concept of Healthcare Design is taking on an increasingly central role in the planning and organization of care environments. It goes beyond healthcare architecture—it’s an integrated vision that places the psychological and physical well-being of patients, the efficiency of healthcare workers, and the sustainability of the entire system at its core.

Designing for care today means considering a wide range of factors: accessibility, comfort, functionality, safety, spatial orientation, reduction of environmental stress, respect for privacy, natural lighting, acoustics, and healthy materials. The environment thus becomes an active participant in the healing process, shaping the patient experience and supporting the work of medical staff.

International studies confirm that spaces designed according to the principles of the healing environment can shorten hospital stays, improve patients’ moods, increase staff satisfaction, and facilitate recovery. Even small design choices—such as the use of natural colors, the presence of green areas, or social spaces—can positively influence clinical outcomes. Healthcare design also focuses on sustainability, promoting architectural and energy solutions that minimize the environmental impact of healthcare facilities: green hospitals, low-emission materials, reduced energy consumption, and smart waste management.

This modern approach requires collaboration among architects, engineers, designers, clinicians, nurses, environmental psychologists, and patients themselves. Participatory design becomes a strategic tool to create spaces that are not only functional but also respectful of the dignity, diversity, and needs of those who inhabit them every day.

The Master’s programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma promote a design culture based on interdisciplinarity, innovation, and person-centered care. Integrating the topic of healthcare design into education means equipping future professionals with a systemic vision that recognizes care environments as key elements in ensuring safety, effectiveness, and the humanization of healthcare services. The ability to read, interpret, and contribute to the design of care spaces is now a strategic skill for those involved in healthcare organization, quality of care, risk management, well-being promotion, and innovation in care models.

THE EMERGING TRENDS IN HEALTHCARE: WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEXT DECADE

January 31, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

The healthcare sector is continuously evolving, driven by technological innovation, demographic changes, and new patient needs. Over the next ten years, we will witness significant transformations that will reshape the way care is provided, with a direct impact on the skills required by healthcare professionals. The Master’s in Healthcare at the University of Parma prepare students to face these challenges, integrating the most relevant trends in the sector into their educational programs.

Hospitals will no longer be the exclusive center of care. Home care, enhanced by the use of remote monitoring devices and artificial intelligence, will allow patients to receive personalized care directly at home, reducing the number of hospitalizations and improving the quality of life. This model of territorial healthcare requires new skills for professionals, who will need to manage digital tools and coordinate multidisciplinary interventions remotely.

Advancements in technology and molecular biology are paving the way for personalized medicine, which will allow for the development of tailor-made therapies for each patient, maximizing effectiveness and minimizing side effects.

The increasing use of big data and artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare, improving the ability to diagnose diseases early, optimizing resources, and personalizing care pathways. Advanced healthcare data analysis will enable faster and more effective decision-making, enhancing the efficiency of healthcare systems.

The growth of the elderly population, the rise in chronic diseases, and the need to ensure equitable access to care pose significant sustainability challenges for healthcare systems. Future healthcare must focus more on the conscious use of resources, innovation in organizational models, and the ethical management of new technologies, such as AI and robotics in medical fields.

The Master’s in Healthcare at the University of Parma offer advanced training to tackle the transformations in the healthcare sector, with a focus on innovation, digitalization, and new care models. Through multidisciplinary programs and collaborations with national and international experts, our Master’s programs train professionals who can interpret and lead change.