In a mental-health care setting, can nature conservation and health priorities align?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hughes, Joelene; De Ruyck, Chris; Emmens, Tobit; Bradbury, Richard B.; Jefferson, Rebecca
• Is Part Of: Journal of interprofessional care. Volume 34:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Awareness -- biodiversity -- engagement -- intervention -- well-being; Holistic medicine -- Periodicals; Interprofessional relations -- Periodicals; Health care teams -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1080/13561820.2019.1621276
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-1820

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is growing evidence that activities in nature could meet both health and nature conservation goals. Consequently, there is growing interest in collaborations between health and nature conservation organizations. However, interdisciplinary teamwork and collaborations risk failing through lack of common understanding and awareness of desired outcomes. For this project a multidisciplinary team was established and used a case study collaboration between a major conservation organization and health organization to examine perceptions of nature and assess the nature interventions desired by people in both sectors. We found a broad overlap in understanding of nature. However, there was a tendency for conservation outcomes to be overlooked, highlighting a potential risk of disengagement from the conservation partner. We recommend that health-conservation collaborations increase early communication and more strongly promote the interventions that provide tangible, physical benefits to nature.