Australian allied health professionals’ perspectives on current practice, benefits, challenges, and opportunities in nature-based approaches
Files
(Published version)
Date
2025
Authors
Stanhope, J.
Foley, K.
Butler, M.
Boddy, J.
Clanchy, K.
George, E.
Roberts, R.
Rothmore, P.
Salter, A.
Serocki, P.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Health and Place, 2025; 93:103430-1-103430-15
Statement of Responsibility
Jessica Stanhope, Kristen Foley, Mary Butler, Jennifer Boddy, Kelly Clanchy, Emma George, Rachel Roberts, Paul Rothmore, Amy Salter, Patricia Serocki, Abirami Thirumanickam, Philip Weinstein
Conference Name
Abstract
Purpose: To guide the effective use of nature-based approaches (NBAs), we aimed to determine current practice, challenges and proposed solutions concerning the use of these approaches by allied health professionals (AHPs). We also investigated the signs, symptoms and conditions AHPs believe NBAs may prevent and/or manage, as well as the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Allied health professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, exercise physiologists, psychologists, social workers and speech pathologists) who used or wanted to use NBAs in Australia were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed through inductive coding and categorisation, and paired with descriptive statistics for the quantitative data to develop our understandings. Results: Allied health professionals indicated that exposure to nature could prevent and/or manage a range of physical and mental health, social and developmental outcomes. In addition to using NBAs with patients/clients, AHPs were also engaged with advocacy for or involvement in the provision of natural spaces indicating the broader roles in which AHPs work and utilise NBAs. Perceived challenges were identified, which related to the patients/clients, AHPs themselves, and external factors. Recommended solutions included increasing education for AHPs and the general public about NBAs, advancing related research, implementing relevant governance changes, and legitimising the role(s) of these approaches to allied health practice. Conclusions: Increasing awareness of and evidence about NBAs among AHPs across sectors – particularly those involving policy, education, funding, and health management – will support their legitimacy and potential benefit of NBAs across a range of populations.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).