Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39971596›Full record

SynthesisBMJ open2025

Implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Ana Raquel Nunes, Florence Karaba, Olivia Geddes, Abi Bickerton, Helen Atherton, Frederik Dahlmann, Abi Eccles, Michael Gregg, Rachel Spencer, Helen Twohig and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Mobilising Knowledge for General Practice Decarbonisation: Maximising Impact Through a Multi-Stakeholder Workshop.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025
    Article
  7. Article
  8. General practice at the nexus of planet and people: for a healthier, sustainable future.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025
    Article
  9. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Ana Raquel NunesUniversity of Warwick Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK raquel.nunes@warwick.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3709-3760
Florence KarabaUniversity of Warwick Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0549-729X
Olivia GeddesUniversity of Warwick Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-2467-6351
Abi BickertonUniversity of Warwick Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.
Helen AthertonPrimary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Frederik DahlmannUniversity of Warwick Business School, Coventry, UK.
Abi EcclesNuffield Department of Primary Care Health Centre, Medical Sciences Division, Universiy of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Michael GreggPPI co-applicant, NA, UK.
Rachel SpencerUniversity of Warwick Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2578-6954
Helen TwohigKeele University, Keele, UK.
Jeremy DaleUniversity of Warwick Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9256-3553

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo summarise and synthesise existing literature on the implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice, to outline the actions being implemented, factors influencing decarbonisation, identify evidence gaps and questions for future research.

designA systematic review and narrative synthesis. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science and ProQuest (grey literature) were searched for literature published up to 29 March 2024. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Studies of any design investigating the implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers extracted data and conducted quality assessments using a mixed methods appraisal tool. Narrative synthesis was used to analyse findings.

resultsFifteen studies were included. Studies were primarily from the UK (n=5), followed by Australia (n=3), USA (n=2), Germany (n=2) and one each from France, Switzerland and Israel. Study designs were qualitative (n=7), quantitative (n=7) and one mixed methods. Participants included healthcare staff (n=7), patients (n=5), health stakeholders (n=2) and the general public (n=1). There was evidence of general practices adopting decarbonisation actions such as resource reuse, improved waste management, energy-efficient systems and preventive care to reduce overmedication, with strong leadership and institutional support being crucial for their success. However, barriers such as high costs, resource constraints and limited awareness among clinicians and patients highlighted the need for enhanced communication, education and the structured promotion of initiatives to improve patient and community engagement.

conclusionsThere is limited evidence on the implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice. A range of factors may impact on the extent to which implementation occurs. Addressing these will be crucial for effectively promoting and scaling decarbonisation actions in general practice. Future research should focus on understanding the role of institutional context, evaluating the real-world impact of interventions on greenhouse gas emissions and exploring patient and community involvement. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023470889.

Indexed as

General PracticeConservation of Natural ResourcesHumansClimate ChangeHealth ServicesHEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENTPrimary CarePrimary Healthcare

Identifiers

PMID39971596
PMCPMC11840891

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.