Herd-Health Environments Research & Design Journal最新文献

ObjectiveTo clarify the influence of daylight access on patients' and their companions' stress perception and coping behavior (communication) in cancer hospital waiting areas.BackgroundIn patient care, managing stress and encouraging effective coping strategies are essential. Daylight has shown as a modulator of stress responses and coping behaviors. Limited research has been done regarding the impact of daylight access on the waiting experience of cancer patients and their companions.MethodsEmpirical data were collected through on-site observations and questionnaire surveys in 30 waiting areas across seven cancer hospitals in China. Based on responses from 419 patients and 371 family companions, we examined differences in stress and communication between groups in the areas with and without daylight access. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the significance of daylight access and communication in predicting stress.ResultsPatients and families in the areas with daylight access communicated more with peers (p ≤ .05) and perceived less stress (p ≤ .10) compared to those in windowless areas. They also communicated more with nurses, though this difference was not statistically significant (p > .10). Participants who engaged in more peer communication reported less stress (p = 0.00). Daylight access and peer communication significantly contributed to stress reduction, explaining over 15% of the variance in stress, along with personal and social variables in modeling.ConclusionAccess to daylight in the waiting areas of cancer hospitals reduces stress and promotes communication among patients and family companions. Healthcare facilities should provide daylight access in their waiting areas to reduce stress and encourage communication.

AimThis systematic literature review, following the PRISMA statement, aims to review the knowledge of how the indoor lighting environment and color palettes impact individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), particularly their behavior and lighting and/or color preferences.BackgroundA supportive built environment is crucial for persons with ASD. Lighting design (daylight and electrical lighting) and color schemes significantly impact their behavior, information processing, and overall well-being. Despite its importance, lighting design for autism has received limited attention in architecture and design research.MethodsA comprehensive search across seven electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, SveMed+, and four library databases including Oria, Regina, the British National Bibliography, and the Royal Danish Library), followed by a thorough review and critical appraisal, resulted in seven (7) high-quality studies with moderate to low risk of bias. Articles were assessed using three standardized checklists, for example, JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies, JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).ConclusionsThe findings are consistent with previous research and confirm that light and color influence ASD individuals' behavior and sensitivity. However, there is a substantial gap in understanding practical applications, as most studies are descriptive or exploratory rather than experimental. Future research should emphasize experimental approaches to develop evidence-based guidelines for designers.

ObjectivesOur study examines experiences of patients admitted to multibedded patient rooms in a former hospital building, compared to patients' experiences in single-occupancy patient rooms (SPRs) in a new hospital building, designed according to principles of a healing environment.BackgroundTo improve patients' privacy, comfort and infection control, newly built hospitals increasingly accommodate patients in SPRs.MethodsIn a single-center, before-after study, patients completed a questionnaire of 40 items in four domains: privacy, sanitary facilities, patient room and ward layout. This substudy was embedded within the WELCOME study.ResultsA total of 227 participants were involved in the before-measurement and 416 in the after-measurement. Patients considered the SPRs better in terms of privacy; more than 90% of participants (strongly) agreed with the privacy-related questionnaire items. Sanitary facilities, patient rooms and ward layout were also rated higher in the new hospital building. For most questionnaire items pertaining to these domains, more than 80% of patients in the new facility (strongly) agreed. 23.5% of respondents in the new building reported missing the companionship of fellow patients.ConclusionsPatients rated the 100% single-occupancy ward configuration more favorably than the former multi-occupancy layout, with enhanced privacy emerging as an important advantage. However, this same privacy can leave some patients feeling isolated. Future studies should explore targeted interventions-such as structured social activities or volunteer-led engagement-to mitigate loneliness and promote mobilization, while preserving the established benefits of SPRs.

ObjectivesThis study proposes an evidence-based design guideline for oncology inpatient rooms that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of cancer patients.BackgroundCancer inpatients frequently experience long hospital stays with emotional vulnerability and clinical stress. Growing evidence suggests environmental design can shape patient experience, comfort, and recovery. Yet, current literature lacks an integrated framework for the spatial and sensory needs of this population.MethodA systematic literature review was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. From an initial pool of 1004 records, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were thematically analyzed and interpreted using established healthcare design theories.ResultsThe synthesis coalesced a wide range of findings into five core thematic domains: (a) the patient's personal sphere of privacy, control, and identity; (b) the social dimension of balancing solitude with connection; (c) the sensory environment of nature, art, and acoustic well-being; (d) the integration of embedded safety and hygiene; and (e) a culture of responsive and participatory design. The analysis reveals a critical tension between clinical necessity (e.g., infection control) and psychological well-being (e.g., avoiding isolation), highlighting the need for integrated solutions.ConclusionsThe physical environment is an active agent in the cancer care experience. This review presents a comprehensive, patient-centered design framework translating empirical evidence into practical strategies. Despite study design limitations, the findings emphasize creating adaptable, psychologically supportive environments for patients' evolving needs. The proposed guideline is a foundation for future design standards and evidence-driven practice in oncology care.

Objective: This study examined staff perceptions of design and patterns of work locations and activities across two different designs, linear design and onstage/offstage clinic design, to inform evidence-based facility design and planning decisions. Background: Healthcare industry trends indicate an increasing focus on outpatient facilities, which currently represent 42% of healthcare construction spending, necessitating research on optimal design approaches for staff efficiency and satisfaction. Method: Three types of data collection and analysis were employed. First, surveys were conducted with nursing, medicine, physician assistants, case managers, and medical assistants/technicians from linear design (N = 48) and onstage/offstage design (N = 50) clinics. Second, focus groups of 24 staff were employed across clinics. Third, staff shadowing utilized tablet-based applications to record patterns of work activities, participants, and locations (N = 6,604 observations; 150 h). Results: Survey results showed Onstage/Offstage clinic staff had significantly more favorable perceptions of Clinic Design Features (p = .000), Design Awareness (p = .001), and Satisfaction with Design (p = .001) than Linear Design staff. Open-ended survey comments provided staff preferences and issues with clinic design. Focus group analysis revealed two themes from Linear Design staff: (1) Distance, and (2) Onstage/Offstage clinic design was superior and one theme from Onstage/Offstage staff: Proximity. Shadowing data revealed distinct workflow patterns, with Onstage/Offstage clinic staff spending significantly more time in direct patient care while Linear Design staff allocated more time to paperwork and patient reception activities. Conclusions: Key implications for clinic designers include prioritizing centralized staff work areas, implementing acoustic privacy solutions with spatial zoning; and redesigning patient interaction points for enhanced privacy compliance.

BackgroundClinical nurses are consistently exposed to high levels of occupational stress, which can undermine their professional quality of life, resulting in burnout, reduced compassion satisfaction, and psychological exhaustion. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience has emerged as a critical protective factor in helping nurses manage these stressors. Moreover, connectedness to nature has gained recognition as a potential influence on enhancing nurses' professional quality of life.PurposeDrawing on Nature-Based Biopsychosocial Resilience Theory and General Systems Theory, this research investigates how connectedness to nature influences nurses' Professional Quality of Life, exploring the mediating role of psychological resilience.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Path analysis examined direct and indirect relationships among connectedness to nature, psychological resilience, and three components of professional quality of life: compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.ResultsConnectedness to nature was significantly associated with higher compassion satisfaction and lower burnout. Psychological resilience partially mediated these relationships, indicating that while connectedness to nature may offer immediate stress-buffering benefits, it also contributes to the development of resilience, a critical long-term protective resource. No significant effects were observed for secondary traumatic stress.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that connectedness to nature serves as a potent, nature-based avenue for strengthening nurses' psychological capital and elevating critical components of their professional quality of life. This underscores the compelling rationale for integrating nature-based strategies into healthcare environments to proactively foster the emotional well-being and long-term sustainability of frontline nurses.

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated that therapeutic architectural spaces can significantly enhance patient treatment outcomes. However, current designs underutilize therapeutic potential due to three key limitations: poor environmental comfort, suboptimal health metrics, and weak cultural immersion.PurposeThis study develops a healing-oriented spatial design framework for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics.MethodsForty-one requirements were identified through literature review, interviews, and WELL v2 standards, which were refined to 23 core needs based on environmental healing theory. The Kano model and Better-Worse coefficient analysis were applied to quantify their dual impacts on user satisfaction and health benefits.Results and ConclusionsThe four-layer design model comprises: (a) a Basic layer that strictly adheres to six essential requirements from TCM clinic standards; (b) an Enhanced layer that optimizes five performance-driven needs; (c) an Innovative layer that develops 11 culturally distinctive features; and (d) a Potential Optimization layer that formulates dynamic strategies for indifferent-type requirements. It provides the first quantitative tool for TCM clinic space design that integrates healing environment theory with TCM characteristics, highlights the value of the built environment as a nonpharmacological therapy, and promotes the paradigm shift of healthcare spaces from "disease treatment" to "health promotion."

ObjectiveThis study explores how experienced Chinese healthcare design professionals perceive Australian hospital environments to shed light on hospital design perspectives across cultural contexts.BackgroundWhile hospital design significantly influences patient outcomes and staff performance, limited research addresses how hospital environments are perceived across cultural and national contexts. This study fills that gap by examining Australian hospitals through the lens of Chinese professionals with extensive experience in healthcare design.MethodsUsing a mixed-methods approach, post-visit surveys were administered to twenty-three Chinese healthcare design professionals after guided tours of five large Australian tertiary hospitals. The survey captured demographic data, ranked key design priorities, and collected qualitative feedback on spatial experience and design performance.ResultsParticipants identified strengths in Australian hospitals, including child-friendly features, spatial comfort, biophilic integration, and service efficiency. However, they also point to challenges related to wayfinding clarity and public amenity distribution. Contrasts were drawn with Chinese hospitals, where design priorities emphasise functionality, administrative control, and throughput under systemic and governance constraints.ConclusionsFindings reflect differing design values shaped by cultural and institutional factors. While Australian hospitals are seen as therapeutic and inclusive, Chinese counterparts prioritise operational efficiency. The study highlights opportunities for knowledge exchange and culturally sensitive adaptation, offering practitioner-informed insights that can inform future comparative and empirical research on hospital design. (1.3).

This discussion examines the fundamental premise of the Maggie's Centre care philosophy, its success, and why North America has yet to accept this innovative, non-medicalized healthcare paradigm. This UK-based network of 26 centers, the first having opened in 1996, has garnered international attention for innovative architecture, in an orchestrated synthesis of built form with the therapeutic affordances of nature. A Maggie's Center is a distinct community-based healthcare building type for the provision of non-hospital-based counseling and related wellness treatment for women diagnosed with cancer and others coping with cancer. These centers have been built on two continents and typically designed by internationally renowned architects. Numerous peer-reviewed published studies have addressed these centers' social, behavioral, and physical environment attributes and qualities through a broad-based post-occupancy assessment lens. It is hypothesized that this research collectively has been, to date, insufficiently rigorous, methodologically. This may account, to a certain extent, for why the medical establishment in North America has not yet grasped the healing and spiritual affordances of the Maggie's concept nor the attempt to uniquely incorporate architecture as a therapeutic modality. In response, three interdependent influencing factors (determinants) are presented with respect to three core constituencies of the Maggie's Centre concept with the aim of stimulating further discourse. The evidence-based health design research community, laypersons, cancer patients, survivors, and others suffering from sickness and disease, together with the medical community, can collectively foster further acceptance of this innovative building type for health.