The Use of Ambient Scent to Improve Children’s Hospital Experience
Abstract
This paper addresses whether or not the diffusion of scents will positively change
evaluations of a service experience and perceptions of personal wellness in a health service
environment. Qualitative data was collected in a pediatric department and three situations
were examined: no scent situation, relaxing scent situation; and stimulating scent situation.
The study revealed that both a relaxant and a stimulating odour improved the evaluation of
the service experience in the pediatric service. It showed that the use of scent is helpful in
creating an experiential context, allowing the children to be more positive about their hospital
stay