Challenges confronting sustainability in nuclear medicine practice

Background

Sustainability can be defined as the state in which consumption or depletion do not exceed regeneration. It can further be considered in five dimensions: environmental, economic, social, human resources, and ecological.

Key findings

There are a number of key issues that threaten sustainability across nuclear medicine clinical and research practices, and across the five dimensions of sustainability there is a requirement for compromise between conflicting priorities. Nonetheless, the field of nuclear medicine benefits from an inherent culture of innovation and forethought which fosters adaptation in order to achieve sustainability.

Conclusion

The principles of sustainability are particularly challenging to navigate due to resource scarcity in nuclear medicine associated with both workforce shortages and supply disruptions. Specific challenges and adaptations are outlined for each of the five dimensions of sustainability.

Implications for practice

There are opportunities for improving sustainability of nuclear medicine practice although success is reliant on a deeper understanding of the interplay across the five dimensions of sustainability.