Abstract
Background
In collaboration with Health Care Without Harm Europe, an interdisciplinary team at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BUAS) and the University of Malta, developed an open-access course as part of a larger Project “Born Green Generation” (BGG). The course focuses on strengthening the capacities of future health professionals in becoming change agents, by applying circular strategies to reduce the use of plastics and their toxic chemicals, thus helping to transition healthcare into a system free of unnecessary plastics. The production, consumption, and disposal of plastics represent a complex global public health challenge, with evidence of micro- and nanoplastics in ecosystems and in human bodies, including in babies. The healthcare sector is a major contributor to this problem, generating substantial amounts of plastic waste through one-use disposable products and linear supply chains. Reducing plastic use with babies is strongly addressed in this course and in the larger BGG Project.
Objectives
The objectives of the 2-ECTS BSc/ EQF 6-level interdisciplinary course for healthcare students, was to develop, pilot and evaluate the course in spring 2025 and 2026. A pre- and post-course evaluation explored students’ perceived importance of the topic and their ability to affect change.
Results
The evaluation of 42 students in 2025 revealed positive results regarding students’ self-reported knowledge, skills, and attitudes, along with their awareness of the necessity to tackle the issues surrounding plastic usage. In June 2026, a further 60 health professions students will have completed the course, and final evaluation will occur.
Conclusions
This course focuses on sustainability and planetary health, specifically through using circular strategies to reduce plastic usage. With its practical relevance and transformational objectives, it will help upcoming health professionals tackle these issues in their various interprofessional healthcare settings.
Key messages
• Strengthening health professions students’ capacity to reduce plastics using circular strategies.
• Protecting babies and children from plastics and the harmful chemicals contained in them.