Sweden's Pioneering 'Nature Prescription' Programme Gains Traction Among Doctors
A pioneering initiative has emerged in Sweden, allowing doctors to prescribe nature-based therapies to patients. The programme, which operates within the framework of social prescribing, encourages healthcare professionals to recommend trips to Sweden as complementary treatments.
The programme, launched by the Swedish county administrative board Västra Götaland, offers a range of experiences under three intervention themes: nature, culture, and social prescribing. Activities such as forest bathing, cold water swimming, and sauna sessions are promoted as part of the initiative. Doctors can recommend these experiences to patients as complementary treatments, with the aim of improving health and wellbeing.
The programme operates within the framework of social prescribing, where healthcare professionals refer patients to non-clinical services. Medical referral templates and a list of Swedish experiences reviewed by a senior professor at Karolinska Institutet are available for download. Examples of experiences include saunas in Swedish Lapland for improved sleep quality, cold plunges in the archipelago for enhanced circulation, and music festivals in Gothenburg to boost serotonin levels.
The programme has gained traction among medical professionals, with 67% of UK doctors recommending Sweden as a travel destination to improve health. Over 80% would consider issuing social prescriptions. Despite the potential benefits, patients must cover all expenses for international travel, accommodation, and activities required for the programme. The initiative aligns with the World Health Organisation's recognition of nature's role in human health and wellbeing, and could pave the way for similar programmes in other countries.
