Objective:

To characterize attitudes towards sustainability among practicing urologists and identify areas for improvement in personal and institutional settings, particularly in the context of healthcare's environmental impact.

Key Findings:

• Survey response rate was 4.9% (79/1607), raising concerns about representativeness.
• Most respondents were from metropolitan areas (82%), male (71%), and practiced for 5–14 years (29%).
• Sustainability priorities ranked as financial (1), future workforce (2), and environmental (3), indicating a need for a shift in focus.
• 56% reported no institutional sustainability programs or were unaware of them, highlighting a gap in awareness.
• Majority supported recycling for instruments (67%), computers (68%), and paper (65%), but actual recycling rates were low (28% for instruments, 29% for computers), suggesting a disconnect between support and practice.
• 58% of urologists conducted 0-5% of visits virtually, indicating limited adoption of telemedicine.

Interpretation:

Current emphasis on sustainability in urologic practice is low, with financial and workforce concerns prioritized over environmental issues, suggesting a need for increased awareness and action.

Limitations:

• Low survey response rate may not represent the views of all NCSAUA members, potentially skewing results.
• Survey results may be influenced by self-selection bias, as those with stronger opinions on sustainability may have been more likely to respond.

Conclusion:

Findings indicate a need for targeted programs to advance sustainability priorities in urology, particularly in raising awareness and implementing practices.