Barriers and facilitators to implementing nature prescriptions for child and youth health: a scoping review.

Abstract

Spending time in and connecting with nature has been shown to have positive benefits across multiple health outcomes, including for children and youth. Growing in popularity, nature prescriptions are recommended by health providers, social providers, and educators to spend more time in nature. The health and well-being benefits from nature prescription programs hold great potential for children and youth. However, a key evidence gap remains on how nature prescriptions occur in practice in pediatric healthcare, social care, and education, including barriers and facilitators to the implementation of nature prescription programs. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of nature prescription programs for child and youth health. Peer-reviewed, original studies published in English were systematically searched in six databases using search terms focusing on nature prescriptions and child and youth health. Following the recommendations of Arksey and O'Malley (2005), two reviewers independently screened 2111 titles and abstracts, 38 records were screened in full text, and 10 studies were included. Thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke's (2022) guidelines. Three themes were developed from thematic analysis: (i) safety considerations, (ii) materials, resources, and support, and (iii) program features. The results of this review can be used to guide future nature prescription program implementation strategies for child and youth health.