ABSTRACTPERCEPTUAL BARRIERS TO THERAPETUIC LANDSCAPES IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS IN MID-MICHIGANByEmaley Baxter This thesis examines perceptual barriers to, and current use of, therapeutic landscape environments in hospitals, end-of-life care, or extended care facilities. Specifically, this study investigates the factors that managers and healthcare professionals identify as important in the creation of therapeutic garden areas for their patient populations. The research also seeks to identify specific factors that prohibit investment in this type of amenity in these institutional settings. Factors that are investigated include variables such as prior experiences with therapeutic gardens along with cost-benefits, liabilities, aesthetics, functional utilities, time commitments, and maintenance concerns. The study reports on the importance of these variables in creating advocates among managers and/or healthcare staff for this type of garden in their workplace.
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