EXPLORING ATTITUDES TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF STUDENTS AND PRACTICING PHYSIO-AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

Chief Assist. Prof. Denitsa Vasileva, PhD

Department of Public Health and Health Care University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”

ORCID: 0000-0003-4591-1409

E-mail: ddecheva@uni-ruse.bg

Assos. Prof. Petya Mincheva, PhD

Department of Public Health and Health Care University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”

ORCID: 0000-0002-1137-7482

E-mail: pmincheva@uni-ruse.bg

Abstract

Climate change and environmental protection are in the focus of all areas, including healthcare. A number of strategies have been developed to reduce harmful emissions, the carbon footprint and increase recycling, in which physiotherapists and occupational therapists also play a role. The awareness of the younger generation regarding environmental protection should be formed at school age. At the university level, knowledge in this area, especially in the health sector, should be embedded as part of the training. The opinion on basic issues concerning environmental protection of 86 people was surveyed. The group of students included a total of 32 students from the second and third year of study, distributed according to the specialty in which they are studying. All of them are studying at the University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev " at the time of the study. The group of workers includes 54 physiotherapists and occupational therapists working in hospitals in the cities of Ruse, Sofia and Varna. The study was conducted using a survey method, using an online form on the GOOGLE platform. The survey was constructed from 18 questions containing information about profession/specialty, attitude and opinion on issues related to pollution and environmental protection, some of which were summarized and analyzed in detail. Conclusions were made and inferences were drawn.

Keywords

Environmental protection, Survey, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy

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