Terveysmetsien käyttö sosiaali- ja terveyspalveluissa

Health forests established adjacent to hospitals in selected municipalities are forest areas specifically designed to support human health and wellbeing. These nature-based interventions have been recently introduced into social and healthcare services in Finland, yet there is a lack of research evidence regarding their use. The aim of this study was to explore the use of health forests in client and patient work, as well as the barriers to their use, in two wellbeing services counties. The survey data (n=205) was collected from employees of the wellbeing services counties of Kainuu and Päijät-Häme in the summer of 2024. The survey included questions about the ways health forests are used in client or patient work, the perceived barriers to their use, and background information. Quantitative results were estimated by using logistic regression, Friedman Test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data.Nearly half of the respondents reported using the health forest in their work. The most common approach involved encouraging clients to visit the health forest independently. Physicians, therapists, midwives, instructors, and social workers used the health forest in client work more frequently than nurses and specialists. Factors that promoted the use of health forests included agreed-upon practices, effective internal communication, and managerial support. The main barriers to using health forests were the unsuitability of the health forest for one’s work role or client group, lack of time, and the distant location of the forest. There were differences between professional groups in terms of perceived barriers. Professionals identified improved mental well-being and recovery from stress as the most important wellbeing benefits of health forest visits for their clients.This study contributes novel insights into the integration of nature-based interventions within public healthcare services. The results can be utilized in the planning, training, and strategic development of nature-based services in wellbeing services counties. Further research is needed to explore the benefits and optimal modes of health forest utilization for diverse client populations.