My Research
Research Topic
The relationship between design of healthcare environments and the impact it has on end-user perceptions
Project Background
The body of evidence and research interest in the relationship between built-environment and end-user outcomes has grown rapidly in recent years [1, 2]. In a healthcare setting, the design of waiting environments play an important role in shaping end-user impressions and experiences of the overall setting and service. This is especially true in the service industry where individuals often interact mostly or firstly with the environment [3-6].
The design of healthcare waiting environments often reflects the individual style of healthcare decision-makers, designers and architects. Individual style derives mainly from choices made and the order of methods used during the design process [7]. A study conducted by researchers from the Design Council UK also reported that each organization and project may follow a different design process [8]. The design process is therefore not always clearly defined. However, regardless of the choice of design process, for the creation of better healthcare environments, it is important to understand the perception of the people for whom the design is intended.
The main end-users of healthcare waiting environments are patients, including their friends and family as well as healthcare employees. Studies have found that changing the design of the environment with the patient in mind can positively influence patient outcome [9]. Environment design can also have an impact on staff satisfaction and their performance [10]. In 2005, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) reported that 24% of all staff satisfaction rates are related to environmental factors such as comfort, air quality, temperature, noise, lighting and office layout [11].
Designing for end-users could therefore have potential value in the design process. This research seeks to explore the general public’s perception of healthcare waiting environments. The aim is to use the knowledge to produce design recommendations that can benefit those concerned with the design of healthcare design.
Main Research Objectives
- To understand the language end-users use to describe their perceiton of healthcare waiting environments
- To understand end-user need and experience in a healthcare waiting room
- To identify main end-user perceptions in order to assess a larger number of design variables
- To establish the relationship between design concepts, design variables and end-user perceptions
Main Supervisor
Dr. Rebecca Cain
Co-Supervisors
Prof. Elizabeth Burton
Prof. Paul Jennings
Research Group
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