Singapore's Khoo Teck Puat Hospital well-known for having Biophilic qualities.
https://living-future.org/biophilic/case-studies/award-winner-khoo-teck-puat-hospital/
A horticulture professor Lohr listed out the different direct and indirect positive effects of 'Nature in the Space' on humans.
Not only did he make references to many studies in this article that helped shed light on the stated effects of plants, but he had also made many studies himself.
Their research focuses on the seemingly intangible health, psychological benefits that we can get from plants indoors. He mentioned how having plants.(Lohr 2-4):
Cleaning the indoor air quality
Reducing stress
Increasing productivity
Tangible health benefits
Although he only mentioned one of the pillars, the other two can help benefit just as much as shown in When Lohr explained why we respond to indoor plants, he stated how environmental cues such as the shape and colour of trees can create these Biophilic benefits (Lohr 4-6). These are passive engagements that can be done by both Nature Analogues and Nature of the Space, which are dependent on the interactivity with the natural environment.
The reason why I chose this area
Knowing that the workplace has been oversaturated and when Yasser told me a past student example's solution to this exact context was underwhelming, I chose to focus on the next key sector which is healthcare.
More importantly, I wanted to focus on how Biophilia is being implemented and where it could be more present in hospitals and clinics.
Informal interview with friends who are in the industry
Since I did not know much about the healthcare industry, I went to find my friends who are studying nursing.
After interviewing with my two friends who are studying nursing, Phoebe and My, they gave me great insights and the first step into the healthcare industry.
She told me that most hospital wards in Singapore does not have any physical plants around as the main concern was patient safety.
As most of them will be weak and confused, the size of the plants maybe a hinderance and an object that may cause unnecessary harm. Thus, she pointed me towards the patients who are under Rehab centers in Palliative Care:
Patients here will be relatively stable and will be in the most need of Biophilia to help with their welfare.
Another part of the healthcare industry that I can help tackle is the
All hope gone
Having spoken with two of my friends who are studying nursing, I find it will be almost impossible to go and conduct primary research in a hospital which, the pandemic has exacerbated the situation.
Plus, having listened to Yasser's comment on how a previous student Tiffani had to make sure her research was well-done by her having to go to local hospitals every day made I finalised my dilemma of choosing the two options. Unfortunately, I have chosen the overconsumption of plants route instead of the "seemingly" more meaningful option of helping patients who are in palliative or in urgent care.
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