Student leadership in planetary health: insights from the planetary health report card leadership team

Abstract

Introduction: Student leadership plays a crucial role in the development of planetary health education. The Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC) is an established model of student-led initiative that is advancing planetary health education internationally.

Methods: In this collection of personal reflections and informal discussions from 12 members of the PHRC's leadership team, we share a narrative analysis of the unique perspectives of student leaders working to advance planetary health education. The aim of this piece is to explore the value of student leadership in the development of Education for Sustainable Healthcare.

Results: Students have a unique leadership role in this space, bringing a shared passion and collective responsibility for action while balancing academic studies and having finite course durations in which to enact change. Challenges exist in engaging other students and changing faculty perspectives; nevertheless, participation in this work is identified as both rewarding and personally fulfilling through international networking, working relationships and collective empowerment.

Conclusions: Student leadership is a strong and necessary driver in the development of planetary health education and can be rewarding for those involved. However, student time must be respected; more work is required to break down negative perceptions and barriers to this work.

Keywords: medical leadership; medical student; student; sustainability.