Promoting Sustainability-Oriented Medical Education: Development of a Competency Model for Physicians Specializing in Laser and Energy-Based Device Therapy

Laser- and energy-based device (EBD) treatments in aesthetic medicine pose substantial environmental challenges, including high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and disposable medical waste. Although sustainable healthcare has gained global attention, no competency framework currently exists to guide physicians in integrating environmental sustainability into aesthetic medicine. This study applied McClelland’s (1973) Competency Model Theory (CMT) to develop a sustainability-oriented competency model for physicians specializing in laser and EBD treatments. Using a mixed-methods design, competency-based interviews were conducted to identify the key tasks and sustainability-related competencies, followed by expert panel validation using content validity and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. The final model consists of 33 competencies across six domains: sustainable operations, regulatory and ethical knowledge, physician patient communication, dermatological science, EBD techniques, and maintenance care. Experts rated most competencies as highly or very highly important and frequently used, and Kendall’s W confirmed significant consensus across domains. The model provides standardized competency benchmarks that can support future curriculum development, professional training, and sustainable healthcare governance. This study extends CMT into the field of environmental sustainability in medicine and offers a structured framework to reduce ecological footprints and promote low-carbon, socially accountable practices.