Evaluation of a Guided Nature and Forest Therapy Walk for Internal Medical Residents – A Brief Report

Abstract

Background: Medical residents commonly face compassion fatigue, burnout, anxiety, and depression. Studies of nature-based interventions show improved mental and physical health; few focus on healthcare providers. Objective: To explore potential benefits of forest bathing for medical residents’ wellbeing. Methods: Using the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy’s framework, we piloted a forest bathing intervention among medical residents with pre/post-participation surveys assessing perceptions of mindfulness and psychological wellbeing. Responses were analyzed using a Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t-test for independent samples. Results: Fourteen of fifteen participants completed both surveys. We observed significantly improved mindfulness scores and expressions of feeling calm, vital, or creative, as well as a decreased sense of anxiety and depression. Nonsignificant trends towards decreased burnout and irritability were seen. Conclusion: This quality improvement pilot demonstrates trends that forest bathing can improve medical residents’ psychological wellbeing and mindfulness. Further exploration of this intervention for healthcare providers is warranted.