RESEARCH

Sustainable Health and Well-Being: Guidelines for Integrating Therapeutic Gardens for Holistic Hospital Care

Examining the results derived from the decision-makers’ insights, the study identified five key findings. Notably, all healthcare decision-makers interviewed (100%) across the different roles agreed that purposefully designed and well-integrated gardens are most beneficial to hospital users and that the evaluation of the garden visitor experience is critically important for advancing knowledge about THGs.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: General Population, Burnout/Workplace Stress, Caregivers/Healthcare Professionals

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Improved Stress Management, Improved Physical Health, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Faster Recovery Times, Decreased Need for Pain Medication

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening, Meal/Diet-Based Activities

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Case Studies, Observational Research, Qualitative Research, Anecdotal Evidence/Testimonials

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Longitudinal Studies

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Summary

This study employed a qualitative research design, specifically utilizing semi-structured interviews, to explore how therapeutic hospital gardens (THGs) can be successfully established. A key aspect of the study’s design was its focus on gathering professional experiences and insights from 12 global healthcare decision-makers. These participants were intentionally selected from roles such as hospital administration, executive government, and senior consultancy, based on criteria including extensive sector experience (at least 10 years) and demonstrated leadership in advocating for THGs. Participants were drawn from Westernized hospital systems in the US, Australia, Israel, and the Netherlands, arguably making the sample representative of these regions. The research aimed to answer how THGs can be established globally by interviewing these experts.

The data collection involved conducting twelve semi-structured interviews. The interview transcripts underwent qualitative thematic analysis, following a systematic process to enhance rigor and reduce potential bias. This analysis included manual coding and input into NVivo software. An acceptable level of inter-coder reliability, specifically 80% agreement, was achieved during the coding process to ensure consistency in theme identification. The insights derived from this systematic analysis directly informed the development of the THG Healthcare Decision-maker Guidelines, which propose five systematic steps for designing and establishing THGs.

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/23/10288

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