by Nick Jacobs

Periodically, I write about articles that have appeared in Modern Healthcare; one of my favorite writers is Charles Lauer, former VP- publishing and editorial director of the magazine. The sweet irony of his most recent article, "Growing Evidence, Studies show the therapeutic value of healing gardens" was difficult for me to express.

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The final paragraph from Mr. Laurer read as follows: "As the recent research found, patients who were subjected to highly stressful situations in a laboratory setting and then allowed to recuperate in either natural or a man-made environment recovered far faster in the natural settings." In his final sentence, he said. "...no surprise, right? And what could be more conducive to healing than a beautiful garden to escape a busy urban environment?"

It was the fall of 1992 when I attended the health system administration certification program at Harvard University's School of Public Health. Although it was by far the most intellectually stimulating and best presented educational program I've ever attended, at one session, it was my turn in the barrel, and I made a very strong statement regarding the use of integrative medicine in a hospital setting; I suggested reverting to nature trails, gardens, therapy dogs, reiki, acupuncture, massage and half a dozen other modalities.

Truthfully, it was as if I suggested that we ban hand washing in all hospitals. The 50-plus administrators, physicians, and professors verbally came after me relentlessly. None of these suggestions seemed to me like they would require a Nobel Prize winner to sort through the rationale for their use.

So, what has happened since 1992? A small group of hospitals began to move forward with a total commitment to Patient Centered Care in Optimal Healing Environments. The movement was called Planetree. The concept espoused by this organization was not new. In fact, it was an ancient idea that originated out of necessity thousands of years ago because they did not have the sophisticated equipment or scientific knowledge to care for the patients in any other way.

Last year the Cleveland Clinic Foundation became a member of Planetree and, at least for me, that was the tipping point. Sixteen years later, this movement is finally beginning to receive serious attention.

"No surprises, right?"