Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition

Overview

Journal HERD

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Health Services

Date 2023 Jul 31

PMID 37522650

Authors

Katharina Nieberler-Walker

Cheryl Desha

Caryl Bosman

Anne Roiko

Savindi Caldera

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: This review explores the role of purposefully designed and well-integrated therapeutic hospital gardens (THGs) for the benefits of patients, their families, and staff.

Background: Significant benefits are realized when people are in contact with nature in the city. Although hospital gardens are prevalent and the beneficial effects of nature on health are widely acknowledged, the establishment of a consistent definition for hospital gardens that promote health is vital to attain reliable and quantifiable health outcomes.

Methods: Twenty-eight peer-reviewed journals were critiqued for the period of 2016-2021 and updated with 12 articles from 2021 to 2023 to analyze and synthesize the latest thinking and development in this emergent field. Subsequently, current books and exemplar practice literature were synthesized with the results of the literature review to produce a working definition of THGs.

Results: Three themes and 14 subthemes were established showing the interconnectedness of THG definition, user needs and experiences, and the benefits and values of THGs. Two original findings can be established-a need to have a consensus on terminology and to establish design processes. The working definition was produced as a foundational step to guide stakeholders in implementing THGs.

Conclusion: THGs can play a role in improving well-being when they are purposefully designed and well-integrated in hospital programs and health policy. Hospital CEOs, designers, and healthcare experts can use the findings and working definition to assist the establishment of such health promoting gardens.

Citing Articles

Feasibility of a Hospital-Based Kitchen Garden.

Carroll C, McCray S, Utter J HERD. 2024; 17(3):10-18.

PMID: 38757685 PMC: 11528837. DOI: 10.1177/19375867241250318.

References

Milliron B, Vitolins M, Gamble E, Jones R, Chenault M, Tooze J . Process Evaluation of a Community Garden at an Urban Outpatient Clinic. J Community Health. 2016; 42(4):639-648. PMC: 5447497. DOI: 10.1007/s10900-016-0299-y. View

Verderber S, Gray S, Suresh-Kumar S, Kercz D, Parshuram C . Intensive Care Unit Built Environments: A Comprehensive Literature Review (2005-2020). HERD. 2021; 14(4):368-415. PMC: 8597197. DOI: 10.1177/19375867211009273. View

Blaschke S, OCallaghan C, Schofield P, Salander P . Cancer patients' experiences with nature: Normalizing dichotomous realities. Soc Sci Med. 2016; 172:107-114. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.10.024. View

Igeno-Cano J . Benefits of walks in the outdoor gardens of the hospital in critically ill patients, relatives and professionals. #healingwalks. Med Intensiva (Engl Ed). 2019; 44(7):446-448. DOI: 10.1016/j.medin.2019.09.007. View

Gaminiesfahani H, Lozanovska M, Tucker R . A Scoping Review of the Impact on Children of the Built Environment Design Characteristics of Healing Spaces. HERD. 2020; 13(4):98-114. DOI: 10.1177/1937586720903845. View

White M, Alcock I, Wheeler B, Depledge M . Would you be happier living in a greener urban area? A fixed-effects analysis of panel data. Psychol Sci. 2013; 24(6):920-8. DOI: 10.1177/0956797612464659. View

Silva R, Rogers K, Buckley T . Advancing Environmental Epidemiology to Assess the Beneficial Influence of the Natural Environment on Human Health and Well-Being. Environ Sci Technol. 2018; 52(17):9545-9555. PMC: 8961682. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01781. View

Pace R, Pluye P, Bartlett G, Macaulay A, Salsberg J, Jagosh J . Testing the reliability and efficiency of the pilot Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for systematic mixed studies review. Int J Nurs Stud. 2011; 49(1):47-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2011.07.002. View

Gascon M, Triguero-Mas M, Martinez D, Dadvand P, Forns J, Plasencia A . Mental health benefits of long-term exposure to residential green and blue spaces: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015; 12(4):4354-79. PMC: 4410252. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120404354. View

10.

Dadvand P, Villanueva C, Font-Ribera L, Martinez D, Basagana X, Belmonte J . Risks and benefits of green spaces for children: a cross-sectional study of associations with sedentary behavior, obesity, asthma, and allergy. Environ Health Perspect. 2014; 122(12):1329-35. PMC: 4256701. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1308038. View

11.

Ulrich R . View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science. 1984; 224(4647):420-1. DOI: 10.1126/science.6143402. View

12.

Guido P, Varela B, Bach H, Balbarrey Z, Wagner M . Green spaces in a tertiary care children's hospital: Benefits, taxonomic survey, and perspective. Arch Argent Pediatr. 2018; 116(2):e267-e272. DOI: 10.5546/aap.2018.eng.e267. View

13.

Copeland D . Brief Workplace Interventions Addressing Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Teamwork: A Pilot Study. West J Nurs Res. 2020; 43(2):130-137. DOI: 10.1177/0193945920938048. View

14.

Li Q, Nakadai A, Matsushima H, Miyazaki Y, Krensky A, Kawada T . Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2006; 28(2):319-33. DOI: 10.1080/08923970600809439. View

15.

Iqbal S, Abubakar I . Hospital Outdoor Spaces as Respite Areas for Healthcare Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic. HERD. 2022; 15(4):343-353. DOI: 10.1177/19375867221111530. View

16.

Martin K, Nanu L, Kwon W, Martin D . Small Garden, Big Impact: Emotional and Behavioral Responses of Visitors to a Rooftop Atrium in a Major Hospital. HERD. 2021; 14(3):274-287. DOI: 10.1177/1937586721992799. View

17.

Zhu X, Shepley M . Assessing Preferences and Perceived Restorative Qualities of Break Spaces for Nurses in China. HERD. 2022; 15(3):126-142. DOI: 10.1177/19375867221075837. View

18.

Cui W, Li Z, Xuan X, Lu C, Tang Q, Zhou S . Influence of Hospital Outdoor Space on Physiological Electroencephalography (EEG) Feedback of Staff. HERD. 2021; 15(1):239-255. DOI: 10.1177/19375867211030701. View

19.

Pijpker R, Veen E, Vaandrager L, Koelen M, Bauer G . Developing an Intervention and Evaluation Model of Outdoor Therapy for Employee Burnout: Unraveling the Interplay Between Context, Processes, and Outcomes. Front Psychol. 2022; 13:785697. PMC: 8929413. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.785697. View

20.

Trau D, Keenan K, Goforth M, Large V . Nature Contacts: Employee Wellness in Healthcare. HERD. 2015; 9(3):47-62. DOI: 10.1177/1937586715613585. View