Australian allied health professionals' perspectives on current practice, benefits, challenges, and opportunities in nature-based approaches

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.