Design Issues in Hospitals

Abstract

Adolescents are underrepresented in the research on health care design. This qualitative study examined the preferences of 54 male and 46 female junior high school students, aged 12 to 14, regarding the physical design and visiting policies of hospitals. Participants compared and rated color photos of hallways and lobbies for units with adult-oriented decoration versus child-oriented decoration and answer questions about such issues as privacy, amenities, entertainment, and visiting hours policy. Responses were analyzed to explore adolescents' criteria for hospital design. Adolescents prefer the bright colors associated with childhood but reject the emblems of childhood, such as teddy bears and balloons. Recommendations from adolescents include private bedrooms and bathrooms, full-coverage pajamas, access to DVDs, continuous availability of food, and a lenient visiting policy.

Stressed Spaces: Mental Health and Architecture

“…In Blumberg and Devlin's (2006) study, they observed that the needs of a sick child are quite different from those of adults, and to meet those needs, "the design of pediatric therapeutic settings differs greatly from those in adult or general care facilities" (p. 296). They too made use of a survey to ascertain the preferences of adolescents, should they require hospitalization.…”

Qualities of Inpatient Hospital Rooms

“…Specifically, inpatients' well-being when recovering from surgery may be increased if the hospital room offers adequate physical conditions that meet their needs and that can be adjusted accordingly. Research on healthcare environments has found that patients benefit from privacy (e.g., González-Santos, 2011), quietness (e.g., Hagerman et al, 2005), and the presence of family members (Blumberg & Devlin, 2006).…”

Hospital Designs for Patients of Different Ages

“…very small proportion of the total number of hospitalized patients and they are underrepresented in the research on the quality of these services (Blumberg & Devlin, 2006;Jedeloo et al, 2010). Some studies conclude that the first step to improve adolescents' health-care experience is to ask them about their preferences (Britto et al, 2007).…”

“…But the life expectancy of children with severe diseases has improved significantly, and the increase in the longevity of children with chronic diseases has led to an increase in the number of adolescents who suffer from such diseases and, consequently, an increase in the demand of hospital services for this section of the population (Alderman, Rieder, & Cohen, 2003). Despite this, adolescents represent a very small proportion of the total number of hospitalized patients, and they are underrepresented in the research on the quality of these services (Blumberg & Devlin, 2006;Jedeloo et al, 2010). Some studies conclude that the first step to improve adolescents' health care experience is to ask them about their preferences (Britto et al, 2004).…”

“…It was expected that the children and young people might chose the brighter colors on the color selection and thematic charts offered, but without any prompts at interviews and questionnaires, they chose the mid and paler range of colors, with blue-green colors being the most popular. Blumberg and Devlin (2006) carried out a qualitative study to examine the preferences of 100 junior high school students, ranging in age from 12 to 14 years, with regard to the physical design of the hospital. The participants compared and appraised color photos of hallways and lobbies for units with adult-oriented decoration versus child-oriented decoration.…”