A model for social sustainability in healthcare: an interview study of community health centres in Denmark

Abstract

Aim:

This article investigates how to enhance the sustainability of the Danish healthcare sector, particularly focusing on social sustainability. While environmental and financial sustainability are well-established priorities, social sustainability – crucial for reducing readmissions and fostering cohesive care – remains underexplored. The study aims to make social sustainability actionable and inspire politicians and healthcare professionals to do sustainable healthcare to improve patient outcomes. Therefore, this article develops a circular sustainability model informed by both literature and empirical data to illustrate how sustainability is perceived and practised by healthcare professionals and patients in Denmark.

Methods:

The study employs semi-structured interviews with professionals and patients from Danish community health centres. These interviews provide insights into the practical implementation of sustainability principles and highlight the intersection between theoretical frameworks and real-world practices.

Results:

The findings reveal a disconnect between the theoretical understanding and the practical application of social sustainability. Although healthcare professionals rarely explicitly reference social sustainability, they inherently apply its principles through cross-sector collaboration, localised patient care, and rehabilitation efforts that prepare patients for their everyday environments. This approach aligns with broader sustainability goals by reducing hospitalisation rates and fostering patient wellbeing.

Conclusions:

The study underscores the need to focus explicitly on social sustainability in healthcare. By integrating patient engagement, understanding, and community-based care, healthcare systems can achieve more cohesive and sustainable outcomes. This holistic model enhances environmental, financial, and social sustainability, reducing emissions and lowering readmission rates. The study advances the discourse on sustainable healthcare by emphasising the critical role of social factors in fostering long-term resilience and efficiency.