Ideal physical features of environmental design in children’s hospital: Using children’s perspectives
ISSN: 0263-2772
Article publication date: 10 May 2019
Issue publication date: 2 March 2020
Abstract
Purpose
During hospitalization, children are faced with physical disorders and many psychological challenges. One important factor affecting children is the environmental design of the hospital. The inappropriate design of hospitals may contribute to an increase in fear, anxiety and behavioral disorders. The purpose of this study is to use children’s perspectives to evaluate the importance and impact of effective environmental factors to generate children’s hospital design guidelines.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, children’s desired atmosphere during treatment was examined via 16 drawings and 24 interviews from children at a children’s hospital in Iran.
Findings
The encoding of information extracted environmental components such as window view, color, hobby, playing, decorations, family presence, structure of hospital, presence of nurse, furniture, water features, light and green space. The results indicate that children prefer a hospital environment that provides entertainment facilities while also offering design features such as the presence of light, colorful decorations, the existence of green spaces and conditions suitable for their families to be present.
Research limitations/implications
Depending on the location and their living conditions, the children’s prioritization can be different in any society. In addition, the data of this research was descriptive; thus, the conclusions must be considered tentative.
Originality/value
A number of studies focus on the needs of populations in developed countries. This topic has not been investigated in a major way via professionals in non-western countries such as Iran. Thus, the context of this study and present findings can be deemed unique.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study is an excerpt from Master’s dissertation of Sara Nourmusavi Nasab titled “The design of the children specialist health care in Rasht with an approach to reduce the fear of the environment by utilizing user opinions,” directed by Dr Amir Reza Karimi Azeri, Seyedjalal Mirbazel at Guilan University.
Citation
Nourmusavi Nasab, S., Karimi Azeri, A.R. and Mirbazel, S. (2020), "Ideal physical features of environmental design in children’s hospital: Using children’s perspectives", Facilities, Vol. 38 No. 5/6, pp. 445-466. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-03-2019-0032
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited