This course provides you with the knowledge and tools to create sustainable healthcare practice, and reduce healthcare’s impact on the environment. For leaders, teaching you how to identify avenues for change as part of your practice, and the behaviour change tools to bring your team on the journey.
Date
14 September - 1 December 2026
Duration
11 weeks, inclusive of a 1 week break.
Location
Online
Sustainable Healthcare in Practice - PDU1007
Sustainable Healthcare in Practice is a micro-credential, Master's level program that offers participants a deep understanding of sustainable healthcare, and equips them with applicable skills for the workplace. The course provides you with the knowledge and tools to create sustainable healthcare practice, and reduce healthcare’s impact on the environment. The course is particularly relevant for leaders, teaching how to identify avenues for change as part of your practice, and the behaviour change tools to bring your team on the journey.
Current or future graduate students from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
The online format of the course will particularly suit those in the workplace, as well as students located within Australia and beyond. The content is highly relevant for sector and team leaders needing to upskill and improve their climate literacy.
What you will learn
Drawing from international and national best practice, evidence and expertise, the course will discuss:
Concepts of planetary health and sustainable healthcare
Social and structural determinants of health inequity
How the health sector contributes to the current environmental and climate crises
Insights from systems perspectives and behavioural science to influence change
Pathways to decarbonise healthcare and achieve net zero carbon
Circular economy concepts and their application to healthcare
Case studies of sustainable healthcare practice in energy, water, procurement, transport and waste applied to clinical and non-clinical setting
Effective collaboration utilising behaviour change, stakeholder engagement and co-design approaches to influence change towards sustainable healthcare.
Program structure
Module 1 - Climate change, health equity and planetary health In Module 1 we explore the impacts of climate change and ecological decline on population health. We introduce the concept of Planetary Health, and unpack social, economic and ecological drivers of health inequity.
Module 2 - Healthcare systems and sustainable healthcare This module examines the environmental impacts of healthcare systems, and the opportunities and co-benefits that emerge for the planet and people when we transition to more sustainable healthcare systems.
Module 3 - Using systems thinking and behavioural science to problem solve and influence change A combination of systems thinking and behavioural approaches are needed to address the ongoing threats of climate change, and transition towards sustainable healthcare. In this module, you will apply systems thinking and behavioural science insights to understand your context, and influence change.
Module 4 - Decarbonisation: charting the path to net zero across healthcare This module examines the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in healthcare systems, explains the co-benefits of decarbonising the healthcare sector, identifies opportunities for emissions reduction and explores pathways to net zero.
Module 5 - Circular economy principles for healthcare Incorporating circular economy principles can help to shift the narrative of ‘take-make-waste’ (or linear model) and identify where appropriate, materials can be reused and more effectively managed. In this module, you will learn about applying a circular economy framework to healthcare and consider the risks and benefits associated with circular strategies.
Module 6 - Working with others to influence change towards sustainable healthcare In this module, you will learn about the importance of engaging with a range of stakeholders in the sustainable healthcare transition process. You will learn about tools and processes to engage with different stakeholders, to co-design and implement interventions in complex healthcare systems.
Module 7 - Sustainable healthcare in practice This final module is a chance to review and reflect on your learnings from the previous modules, and formulate, share and get feedback on a personal action plan for implementation following the course.
Testimonials
Incredible course, provided excellent perspective on the issues we are facing and valuable insight into how to move forwards."
A highly informative and enjoyable course. It featured knowledgeable speakers, current research and information, and provided multiple opportunities throughout to relate what we were learning to our workplaces. It was both challenging and motivating. Highly recommend for all health professions and health administrators as sustainability becomes a more core focus of healthcare now and into the future.”
I have used the knowledge and skills I gained from the course to support my employer to make a real leap forward in transitioning to more environmentally sustainable practices. I'm now leading a Safer Care Victoria Sustainability Project at the hospital – aiming to reduce low value care relating to diagnostics. Thank you for facilitating such an amazing course, it was truly life changing and career defining for me.”
Accelerate your qualification
If you achieve at least 50% in your overall score, you can apply for credit towards the M6024 Master of Public Health, M6038 Master of Health Professions Education – Clinical Sciences and M6039 Master of Clinical Simulation – Clinical Sciences at Monash Health.
Course facilitator
Gitanjali Bedi Course Convenor and Facilitator
Guest speakers:
Tony Capon Professor and Planetary Health Expert
Zerina Lokmic-Tomkins Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery
Angie Bone Associate Professor of Practice - Planetary Health
Emma-Leigh Synnott Medical Advisor, Consultant Physician and WA Chair for Doctors for the Environment Australia
Martin Geissdoerfer Associate Professor of Circular Economy
Expert contributors
The below experts contributed to shaping the key themes and content of this course:
Professor Karen Adams – Director, Monash Gukwonderuk Unit, Monash University
Fiona Armstrong – Director, Climate and Health Alliance
Behaviour Works Australia (Jennifer Dam, Dr Sarah Kneebone)
Carole Behne – Sustainable Healthcare Program Manager, Climate and Health Alliance
Dr Gaya Bimal – Former medical student / 'youth' representative, Monash University
Dr Rose Cameron – TRA2SH / Dept of Critical Care, University of Melbourne
Dr Stefanie Carino – Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University
Dr Kate Charlesworth – Snr Advisor, Environmental Sustainability, NSW Ministry of Health
Climateworks Centre (Minalee Busi, Holly Dillabough, Wei Sue)
Filia Garivaldis – Lecturer; Course Director; Course Convenor, Monash Sustainable Development Institute
Assoc Professor Maithri Peiris Goonetilleke – School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
Rachael Jackson – Clinical Nurse Consultant, Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Dr Selina Lo – Director, Australian Global Health Alliance
Renae McBrien – Consultant, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
Dr Janine Mohamed – CEO, Lowitja Institute
Catherine O'Shea – Sustainability Analyst, Ambulance Victoria
Adj Professor David Pencheon – former Director, UK NHS Sustainability Unit
Dr Anna Pietzsch – Specialist Anaesthetist, Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Dr Lana Vestarkis – Consultant Anaesthetist, Sunshine Coast University Hospital
