Evaluation of a Mental and Behavioral Health Patient Room Mockup at a VA Facility

Abstract

Objective: The primary goal of this research was to evaluate a physical full-scale, high-fidelity mockup of a mental and behavioral health (MBH) inpatient room and bathroom. Background: There is minimal research on design for MBH and no published research using mockups to evaluate a MBH design proposal. To address this gap, an interdisciplinary team developed an ideal Patient-Centered MBH Patient Room, which was built as a mockup at a Veterans Administration (VA) facility and evaluated by patients and staff in situ. Method: The mock-up was evaluated using a structured mixed methods process that incorporates feedback using Feedback Forms and facilitated Listening Sessions. Our two primary hypotheses were that the design, as represented by the mock-up, would be positively evaluated and that there would be a difference between staff and patient perceptions, with patients rating the design higher than staff. Results: Quantitative analysis confirmed our hypotheses, revealing an overall positive response, with a difference between patients and staff. Contrary to hypothesis, staff consistently rated the design higher than patients. Qualitative analysis found mixed reception of the design and three primary themes: safety, homeyness/deinstitutionalization, and positive distraction/nature. Conclusions: Physical mock-ups may be an effective tool for evaluation of a proposed design; however, staff perceptions of the environment may differ from those of patients. One drawback of using a physical high-fidelity mock-up is the expectation that the mock-up perfectly represents the proposed design. With this project, even small unfinished details were distracting to the participants and may have negatively affected the evaluation.

The Role of the Built Environment as a Therapeutic Intervention in Mental Health Facilities: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Several studies emphasized the importance for patients to have control of the environment in their rooms. Having personally controllable room appliances and fixtures, such as windows, showers, heating, light and acoustics, was associated with a sense of empowerment ( Csipke et al, 2016 ), well-being ( Molin et al, 2021 ; Sachs et al, 2020 ), and improved sleep quality ( Pyrke et al, 2017) . In addition, a sense of homeliness was associated with patients having personalization over rooms (e.g., photographs, artwork, and gifts) ( Olausson et al, 2019 , 2021 ; Sachs et al, 2020 ), comfortable beds, and the use of personal bedding ( Olausson et al, 2019 , 2021 ).…”

“…Having personally controllable room appliances and fixtures, such as windows, showers, heating, light and acoustics, was associated with a sense of empowerment ( Csipke et al, 2016 ), well-being ( Molin et al, 2021 ; Sachs et al, 2020 ), and improved sleep quality ( Pyrke et al, 2017) . In addition, a sense of homeliness was associated with patients having personalization over rooms (e.g., photographs, artwork, and gifts) ( Olausson et al, 2019 , 2021 ; Sachs et al, 2020 ), comfortable beds, and the use of personal bedding ( Olausson et al, 2019 , 2021 ). Having storage space in patient rooms was also evidenced in two studies as contributing positively to patient satisfaction ( Molin et al, 2021 ; Sachs et al, 2020 ).…”

“…This renovation also incorporated a climate control system (ventilation, lights, and acoustics) as well as soundproofed walls and doors. Similarly, qualitative data indicated that single rooms contributed positively to patient well-being (Brown et al, 2020;Curtis et al, 2007;Molin et al, 2021;Olausson et al, 2019;Reavey et al, 2019;Sachs et al, 2020) and feelings of safety (Curtis et al, 2007;Molin et al, 2021;Reavey et al, 2019;D. Wood and Pistrang, 2004).…”

Ferramenta físico-digital no auxílio ao co-design em ambientes de saúde: uma simulação exploratória

“…Mockups são modelos de simulação físicos ou virtuais baseados na experiência do usuário, com o objetivo de testar e justificar os elementos e soluções hipotéticas de um determinado projeto com a atuação direta dos usuários durante a realização de tarefas e exercícios de trabalho do cotidiano (SACHS et al, 2019). São utilizados para criar um sistema do mundo real e prever possíveis erros e inconsistências do processo de projeto (PEAVEY; ZOSS; WATKINS, 2012).…”

“…Diversas áreas de estudo utilizam os mockups como modelo de simulação, tanto em casos de situações extremas e perigosas, como em ambientes e protótipos destinados a missões espaciais (CECIL et al, 2018;ANDREWS;SEARCY;WALLACE, 2020;HOCHBERG et al, 2019;BANERJEE et al, 2021). Estes modelos de simulação também são aplicados quando existe o impacto financeiro na repetição de um determinado ambiente, como exemplo quartos e enfermarias hospitalares, ou quando existem dificuldades de simulação em locais reais, como no caso de Centros Cirúrgicos (CC) e Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) (MACHRY et al, 2018;SVIDT;SØRENSEN, 2016;WINGLER et al, 2019;SACHS et al, 2019). Outras iniciativas utilizam apenas os recursos de realidade virtual para o auxílio ao desenvolvimento de projetos na área de saúde, como no caso do projeto ProCure21+ (2016), conduzido pelo National Health System (NHS) do Reino Unido.…”