Effects of Biophilic Nature Imagery on Indexes of Satisfaction in Medically Complex Physical Rehabilitation Patients: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Objective: Exposure to nature has been shown to influence various dimensions of human experience in the healthcare environment. This mixed method study explores the effects of the presence of biophilic, nature-based imagery on patient perceptions of their hospital room and aspects of their experience in rehabilitation. Background: In settings where patients have high degrees of medical acuity and infection control is a major concern, exposure to the benefits of real nature may be precluded. This is also true in many older healthcare facilities which were not designed with salutatory nature exposure in mind. In these settings, the presence of nature imagery may provide benefits which positively impact patient experience. Method: Seventy-six physical rehabilitation patients on a medically complex/cardiopulmonary rehabilitation unit filled out questionnaires assessing their perceptions of their room and various indexes of patient satisfaction. Data were collected from 47 patients in enhanced room containing nature imagery and 29 patients in standard rooms which served as controls. Results: Scores on the Environmental Assessment Scale (EAS) indicated a significant difference between experimental and control group in the rating of their rooms ( p = .0071). Ratings of quality of room, quality of stay, quality of sleep, and overall care trended in the direction of the hypothesis but were not significant. Data from qualitative questionnaires supported the results of the EAS. Conclusion: We conclude that the presence of biophilic nature imagery in the hospital rooms had a significant effect on patients’ room ratings and positively influenced indexes of patient satisfaction.

Green Environment, Mental Health, and Loyalty among Male and Female Patients

“…Moreover, the dimensions used in the present research (i.e., green items, natural light, self-rated mental health value, and satisfaction) and their significant relationships were shown to be critical drivers of patients' loyalty that has not been previously investigated. Our findings are consistent with studies that highlight that green spaces within a healthcare setting are important drivers of patient satisfaction (e.g., [39,41,76]) or loyalty (e.g., [33,77]). From a practical point of view, our findings can be utilized by healthcare managers to implement efficient biophilic design strategies within healthcare establishments that contribute to increasing patients' self-rated mental health value, which in turn determine an increase of their satisfaction with medical care and loyalty toward the healthcare provider.…”

Atributos físicos hospitalares restauradores: uma revisão sistemática

“…A partir de 17 pesquisas relacionando ambientes restauradores e contextos de saúde, foi possível observar que os Estados Unidos são responsáveis pela maioria (n = 9) das publicações (GAO; ZHANG, 2021; MIHANDOUST et al, 2021;MODY;SUESS;DOGRU, 2019;NEJATI et al, 2015;NEJATI;RODIEK;SHEPLEY, 2016;NEZAMDOOST;NEZHAD, 2019;RAJ et al, 2022;SCATES et al, 2020;WICHROWSKI et al, 2021). O Brasil, por sua vez, é o país de origem de 5 estudos sobre a temática (BOCCANERA; BOCCANERA; BARBOSA, 2006;CAMPAGNOL;SHEPLEY, 2014;FELIPPE et al, 2020;SEVERO, 2005;SIQUEIRA et al, 2019).…”

Green Atmospherics as Nature-Based Solutions and Patient Responses and Behaviors in Healthcare Establishments From Romania

“…Patient satisfaction is defined as ''the perception and overall evaluation of the medical service quality, as well as patients' judgments regarding the process of medical treatment'' (Lu et al, 2021). Previous research has found that physical attributes of healthcare setting are significant predictors of patient satisfaction (e.g., Wichrowski et al, 2021). Specifically, healthcare environments that are perceived as comfortable, safe, and pleasing are likely to be rated more highly by patients, which increases their satisfaction (Sadler et al, 2011).…”

“…They found that physical attributes, such as interior design, ambient environment, presence of artwork, window views of nature, and adequate lighting are classified as a source of overall satisfaction. Other studies indicated that patients who stay in hospital rooms with natural/green features are more satisfied with their rooms than those who stay in rooms without such features (Park & Mattson, 2009; Wichrowski et al, 2021). As patients are becoming increasingly concerned with and are more critical of the healthcare provided, satisfying them and complying with their needs should become an important target for every healthcare establishment.…”