From Linear to Circular Healthcare: Barriers and Drivers of Medical Device Reprocessing

ABSTRACT The healthcare sector plays a crucial role in safeguarding human well‐being while generating significant sustainability impacts. The medical device industry is pivotal in advancing sustainable healthcare systems. Single‐use medical devices epitomize a linear economic model, whereas circular strategies, such as reprocessing, offer promising alternatives. This study seeks to identify the key barriers and drivers influencing the diffusion of medical device reprocessing practices. A mixed methods approach was adopted. Firstly, 45 interviews with manufacturers and 10 with healthcare staff were performed, then a questionnaire was administered to 382 consumers. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis while quantitative data through structural equation modeling. The study identifies the main drivers and barriers to the diffusion of reprocessing practices within the industry and delineates the factors influencing consumers' willingness to adopt reprocessed medical devices, offering valuable insights for involved stakeholders. The research contributes to the literature by identifying strategies to enhance healthcare sustainability.