HSC Education Days
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2-3-2023
Abstract
The practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) is a specific evidence-based practice which research has shown can improve an individual’s mental health. We investigated the impact of a guided Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) nature-based intervention on burnout symptoms among physicians and other healthcare workers by using a randomized, controlled trial. Ultimately, no statistically significant differences were detected between the pre-test and post-test scores for the intervention group or between the post-test scores of the intervention group compared to the control group. However, the subjective responses collected from participants after participating in the Shinrin-Yoku walk overwhelmingly reported decreased feelings of stress and increased mental wellbeing. This raises important questions about the difference between symptoms of burnout and other aspects of mental health, as well as the limitations of a one-time nature-based intervention on levels of chronic burnout symptoms. Thus, further research on the effects of engaging healthcare providers in an ongoing practice of Shinrin-Yoku is warranted. The research study for this grant was published here: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14505
Recommended Citation
Kavanaugh, John; Mark E. Hardison; Heidi Honegger Rogers; Crystal White; and Jessica Gross. "Assessing the Impact of a Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) Intervention on Physician/Healthcare Professional Burnout: A Randomized, Controlled Trial." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_ed_day/150
Comments
This poster was presented during the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Education Days.