Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung Q (1), Chan CC (1), Lam YM (1), Wong MC (1), Wong YY (1), Kwok WY (1), Yiu D (1), Tsang M (2), Ho K (2), Siu B (2)
Affiliation :
(1)Tuen Mun Hospital (2) Castle Peak Hospital and Siu Lam Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Tree of Hope
Introduction :
Hope, a positive emotional state characterized by future expectations, is crucial for patient recovery. Studies suggest that expressing hope via “wishing trees” can enhance the well-being of patients, families, and healthcare workers. Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) launched the “Tree of Hope” programme has made patients’ hopes concrete and visible, aiming to support rehabilitation and recovery.
Objectives :
The programme aims to cultivate hope, strengthen resilience, and promote community collaboration. Specific objectives include: enhancing patients’ motivation and engagement in treatment; strengthening resilience and coping; improving well-being and quality of life; enhancing the therapeutic hospital environment; and fostering collaborative partnerships among patients, families, and staff.
Methodology :
A nine-month pilot study was conducted across three TMH sites: Geriatric Day Hospital, Day Hospice and Day Rehabilitation. Staff were trained, and dedicated “Tree of Hope” displays were set up. Patients were invited to write their hopes on paper leaves, which were placed on the trees. Clinical teams worked with patients and carers to pursue these hopes. Patient outcomes were evaluated upon discharge using a 9-item questionnaire developed for this study, assessing satisfaction, perceived hope, and treatment engagement on a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree). A separate retrospective staff survey, using a 5-point Likert scale, assessed staff perceptions of the programme.
Result & Outcome :
Of 682 patients invited, 344 completed the survey (completion rate=50.4%, male=198, female=146). Ages ranged from 19 to 99 years (mean=69). The mean patient satisfaction score across the 9 items was 4.3, and the “hope achieved” item averaged 4.2. Forty-seven staff members (doctors=7; nurses=19; patient care assistants=21) completed the survey, with a mean evaluation score of 4.6. High satisfaction scores among patients (mean=4.3), staff (mean=4.6) and the “hope achieved” score (mean=4.2) suggest that the “Tree of Hope” programme achieved its objectives, enhancing emotional experience and psychosocial support in hospital care. The project also inspired community donations, enabling planning for an enduring, large-scale e-display expected to benefit around 1000 patients. This pilot indicates that a simple, low-cost intervention can significantly enhance the pastoral care of the hospital for patients, carers, and staff.
