Embedding Problem Structuring Methods within Delphi processes so as to promote Circular Economy Concerns in Medical Devices' Procurement

12/09/2022

Health expenditure in Portugal is only expected to rise and the sector accounts for 4.6% of global greenhouse emissions. Many industries are transitioning from a linear to a more circular economy (CE). Changing health-care practices requires multidisciplinarity and the involvement of numerous stakeholders. Delphi is a method commonly used in the health sector to involve stakeholders and stimulate interactions in a non-presential format, however several challenges still arise in complex and uncertain problems. This thesis proposes a novel approach based on embedding problem structuring methods (PSM) within Delphi processes to explore how to incorporate CE concerns into single use medical devices (SUMD), which currently mainly factors price in its' procurement. A multimethodology is proposed in which participants are asked to ideate aspects that should be considered during the evaluation of medical devices, in order to promote CE concerns; these aspects are listed and organized into a cognitive map that portrays their interconnectedness, assisting participants in future rounds in stating their level of agreement to each one. Results show that twelve experts agreed on the inclusion of previously unconsidered aspects in the evaluation of SUMD, that it is worth exploring the combination of PSM with Delphi processes and that, in order to pursue sustainability, evaluations of medical devices must consider new value elements. This novel methodology highlighted the need for the National Health Service to update regulation of reprocessing SUMD, to create a generic guideline for the evaluation of these devices, and to define a plan to implement SUMD reprocessing centrally.

Authors in the community:

• 

  F

  Francisco Cortez Viterbo

  ist189800

Supervisors of this institution:

• 

  M

  Mónica Duarte Correia de Oliveira

  ist14410

industrial-biotechnology - Industrial Biotechnology

eng - English

Instituto Superior Técnico