Experiences of Forest Healing Instructors Who Met Cancer Patients in Forest Healing Programs: FGI Research

Eun Young Park, Min Kyung Song and Mi Young An ()
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Eun Young Park: College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea
Min Kyung Song: Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
Mi Young An: Department of Nursing, Yeoju Institute of Technology, Yeoju 12652, Republic of Korea

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Demand for urban forest programs for the healing of cancer survivors is increasing. To develop a forest healing program for the integrated care of cancer patients, it is necessary to analyze the experiences of forest healing instructors who have conducted programs for cancer patients. Methods: This qualitative study applied focus group interviews (FGIs; four interviews with sixteen participants) to describe and understand the experiences of forest healing instructors who run forest healing programs for cancer patients. Results: Four themes were identified: “prepared encounters and unexpected encounters,” “yearning for healing,” “people who need special care,” and “things to prepare for cancer patient programs.” Conclusion: Forest healing instructors had difficulty facilitating programs for cancer patients owing to prejudice and a lack of knowledge about the characteristics of cancer patients. Moreover, differentiated programs and places that align with the specific needs of cancer patients are needed. It is necessary to develop an integrated care forest healing program for cancer patients and educate forest healing instructors about the needs of cancer patients.

Keywords: integrated care; cancer survivor; forest healing program; forest healing instructors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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