Manitoba doctors could start prescribing time in nature for overall health – Winnipeg Sun

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Doctors Manitoba, a physicians’ advocacy group, has announced it’s supporting a national nature prescription program (PaRx) which enables doctors, licensed health-care providers, and social workers to prescribe time in nature to promote overall health.

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The prescriptions are tailored specifically to patients. For instance, an able-bodied person suffering from anxiety might be given a prescription for a hike, while a less able person might be prescribed a walk in a local park. Through collaboration with Parks Canada, care providers can also prescribe an Adult Parks Canada Discovery Pass to reduce patients’ barriers to nature.

“This can benefit so many people and patients,” said Anna Reed, a social worker, and the Manitoba coordinator for the PaRx program in a phone interview with the Winnipeg Sun. “It could benefit the prescribers or physicians themselves. It is so exciting to see Doctors Manitoba endorse PaRx, because it has never been a more important time for folks to get outside. Not only is outside one of the safest places to be right now, but research also indicates those who are more connected to nature are more likely to protect it.”

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PaRx is Canada’s first evidence-based nature prescription program. PaRx is an initiative of the B.C. Parks Foundation that first launched in 2020, spreading to other provinces including Manitoba in October 2021. Doctors Manitoba joins other local organizations supporting the initiative, including the Manitoba College of Family Physicians, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Association of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba.

“As physicians, we recognize that spending time in nature can offer measurable benefits to patients’ physical and mental health,” said Dr. Kristjan Thompson, president of Doctors Manitoba in a statement. “The PaRx initiative will allow doctors to actually prescribe nature to their patients, while also removing barriers for patients to access a national park in Manitoba. It’s truly a win-win initiative.”

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