Therapeutic Hospital Gardens: Literature Review and Working Definition

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Design
• Environmental Psychology
• Horticultural Therapy

Background:

• Contact with nature in urban settings offers significant health benefits.
• Hospital gardens are common, but a standardized definition is needed for measurable health outcomes.
• The positive impact of nature on health is widely recognized, emphasizing the need for structured therapeutic environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of purposefully designed and well-integrated therapeutic hospital gardens (THGs).
• To establish a working definition for THGs to guide implementation and research.
• To synthesize current knowledge on THG design, user experiences, and benefits.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review of 28 peer-reviewed journals (2016-2021) and 12 recent articles (2021-2023).
• Synthesis of findings with current books and exemplar practice literature.
• Development of a working definition for THGs based on synthesized data.

Main Results:

• Identified three overarching themes and 14 subthemes regarding THG definition, user needs, and benefits.
• Highlighted the interconnectedness of THG design, user experiences, and their overall value.
• Established the need for consensus on terminology and standardized design processes for THGs.

Conclusions:

• Purposefully designed and integrated THGs can significantly improve well-being for patients, families, and staff.
• A consensus-based definition and design framework are essential for effective THG implementation.
• Findings provide a foundation for hospital leaders, designers, and healthcare professionals to establish health-promoting gardens.