Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate nursing students’ perception of healing environmental factors in elderly care facilities and to provide basic data for the development of a curriculum for gerontological nursing. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The research participants were 194 nursing college students in Korea. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and was analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, and a stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/Windows 22.0. Findings: The means score of the perception of the importance of a healing environment in elderly care facilities was 4.78±0.43. The main reasons for considering a healing environment important were that it “fosters psychological stability” (53.1%), “improves the quality of life” (40.7%) and is “helpful in healing” (18.6%). Among the essential features of the healing environment in elderly care facilities, the mean perceived importance score was the highest for comfort (4.50±0.36), followed by sociality (4.41±0.52), territoriality (4.36±0.56),stability (4.20±0.52),and livability (4.19±0.63).The factors influencing the importance of a healing environment were having a place to communicate, a place for families and visitors, and hygiene(R2 =15.2).There were significant differences in the perceived importance of a healing environment(t=-2.86, p=.004), and of the essential features of stability (t=-2.68, p=.008) and territoriality (t=-2.23, p=.027) based on the gerontological nursing education experience of the participants. Improvements/Applications: It is important to develop a gerontological nursing curriculum that includes information about creating a healing environment in elderly care facilities, which can contribute to the improved quality of life and psychological stability of the residents. Keywords: Healing Environment, Long-term Elderly Care Facilities