Estimating CO₂ emissions from international medical electives: a literature review and quantitative analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Electives are short placements during medical school lasting 2-8 weeks, serving as an opportunity to engage with different healthcare systems and cultures and to travel overseas. However, amid increasing alarm about climate change, interest in the sustainability of electives and alternative elective formats are gaining attention.

Methods

A scoping review of MEDLINE, Embase, ERIC, Web of Science SCOPUS, WHO Globus Index Medicus and Scielo was conducted with double-blind screening to identify previous efforts to quantify carbon costs of electives. To quantify the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of electives, we created an approach based on the fuel efficiency of aircraft used for long-haul travel, distances from the UK to popular elective destinations an

SUBMITTER: Coakham L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12395515 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature