Revisiting Healing Environments: Islamic Interior Elements in Hospital Rooms in North Africa.

Moamer M Gashoot

doi:10.1177/19375867211042350

Abstract

A predominant notion among researchers is that hospital room design and decor are subject to the designer's expression of self, which is contrary to evidence-based studies showing that design and decor can impact patient health. The aim of this study was to examine whether improvement in quality of healthcare provided in hospitals could be achieved through the convergence of expertise of healthcare professionals and hospital room designers. This was a prospective study to identify the impact of hospital interior design features with a focus on single occupancy rooms. Volunteers were recruited through advertisements and the study was conducted at the Tripoli Medical Center. Responses were analyzed using a three-dimensional computer-aided design software to help respondents accurately map their preferences and visualize outcomes. Participants preferred an aesthetically pleasing hospital room environment that included art and bright colors, window views, and the need for personalization, technology, mobility, and flexibility, all of which improved satisfaction and happiness. Of these, participants' preference for technology as a cause for satisfaction and happiness was a novel finding. Designers of hospital room interiors should plan and create an appealing single occupancy room for increasing user satisfaction and patient wellness.

Highlights

A predominant notion among researchers is that hospital room design and decor are subject to the designer’s expression of self, which is contrary to evidence-based studies showing that design and decor can impact patient health
The conceptual framework developed in this study addressed the question of how planning and designing a single occupancy room in a hospital enhanced user satisfaction and well-being with the environment
Data from 10 participants on aesthetics of a single occupancy hospital room including color and brightness based on Islamic religious themes, personalization, mobility, flexibility, and technology were included in the thematic analysis

Summary

Introduction

A predominant notion among researchers is that hospital room design and decor are subject to the designer’s expression of self, which is contrary to evidence-based studies showing that design and decor can impact patient health. Methods: This was a prospective study to identify the impact of hospital interior design features with a focus on single occupancy rooms. Results: Participants preferred an aesthetically pleasing hospital room environment that included art and bright colors, window views, and the need for personalization, technology, mobility, and flexibility, all of which improved satisfaction and happiness. Participants’ preference for technology as a cause for satisfaction and happiness was a novel finding. Conclusion: Designers of hospital room interiors should plan and create an appealing single occupancy room for increasing user satisfaction and patient wellness

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Discussion

Conclusion