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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.

MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: A PRIORITY THAT STARTS WITH EDUCATION

May 20, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In recent years, the issue of mental health among healthcare professionals has become increasingly central to the debate on the sustainability of healthcare systems. The daily challenges they face — from long shifts to emergency management, from emotional strain to clinical responsibility — make healthcare workers particularly vulnerable to stress, burnout, anxiety, and mood disorders.

The mental health of healthcare professionals is not only an individual right, but also a key factor in the quality and safety of care. International studies confirm that the psychological well-being of staff is positively correlated with listening skills, empathy, error management, and patient satisfaction. Promoting mental health, therefore, means investing in the resilience of healthcare teams, reducing absenteeism, improving staff retention, and fostering fairer, more sustainable work environments.

In this context, the Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma promote an integrated vision of mental health within the healthcare sector — not only as an educational topic, but as a cross-disciplinary skill and a core part of organizational culture. Through theoretical modules, experiential workshops, supervision, and group work, these programs aim to train self-aware professionals who can care for others without neglecting themselves, in the pursuit of both personal and professional sustainability.

Addressing the mental health of healthcare personnel is no longer optional — it is a strategic priority. For this reason, it is essential to continue investing in ongoing education, organizational support, and a culture that values the human dimension of healthcare professionals, even before their professional role.

The Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma champion this vision, contributing to the development of a new generation of healthcare workers who are stronger, more self-aware, and more attentive to their own well-being and that of their colleagues.