Understanding the benefits of horticultural therapy on paediatric patient's well-being during hospitalisation
ISSN: 1754-2731
Article publication date: 8 October 2020
Issue publication date: 24 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to undertake a systemic literature review (SLR) of horticultural therapy and to explore whether its inclusion in a healthcare programme can enhance hospitalised children's well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was developed using a mixed methods approach to monitor stakeholders' perceptions of horticultural therapy. Specifically, hospitalised children (N = 31) and their families (N = 21), as well as medical and nursing staff (N = 3), were engaged in the empirical study. Qualitative and quantitative surveys were developed, involving two paediatric units in an Italian hospital.
Findings
The authors’ findings show a significant improvement of children's mood and psycho-physical well-being following horticultural therapy. The authors found positive effects of interactive horticultural therapy on hospitalised paediatric patients and their parents. Parents perceived a positive influence on their mood and found the therapy very beneficial for their children. Qualitative analyses of children's and parents' comments (and related rankings) revealed the helpful support role of horticultural therapy in dealing with the hospitalisation period. There is a very limited number of studies that have inspected co-therapy implementation in paediatric hospitals, and to the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has yet examined the effect of horticultural therapy in such a context. The practice of horticultural therapy with children in health settings has been documented in some Italian hospitals, but its effectiveness has not yet been well established in the literature.
Originality/value
The authors’ findings could provide useful insights to clinicians, health managers and directors in creating and sustaining a successful group co-therapy programme under the managed healthcare system.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Fondazione Salesi and Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona as well as its paediatric unit and their managerial teams for their support during the research planning and the data collection phase. The authors also acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions to improve the paper.
Citation
Guglielmetti Mugion, R. and Menicucci, E. (2021), "Understanding the benefits of horticultural therapy on paediatric patient's well-being during hospitalisation", The TQM Journal, Vol. 33 No. 4, pp. 856-881. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-04-2020-0078
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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