This project is working with the Sunshine Coast University Hospital as well as others around Australia to develop better flow for vulnerable patients in emergency departments.
Who was involved?
Dr Scott Schofield from Sunshine Coast University Hospital provided the clinical perspective for the project. From the QUT Design Lab, the project was developed and led by Dr Lindy Burton and HDR Intern Jane Carthey, supported by Professor Evonne Miller and Dr Sandy Astill. The team developed interview questions and chose interview participants with the input of Dr Melanie Forbes of Bond University, who also offered helpful advice.
What was the process?
The study’s framework was to create health facilities that are salutogenic, i.e., that actively promote wellbeing for patients and staff. This framing differs from an approach that solely emphasises healing or relieving suffering in a healthcare setting. To find ways to increase access to nature, wellness, and meaning as part of the architectural design solution, we interviewed eight medical, nursing and allied health staff. We asked them what works and what doesn’t in terms of their work environments’ physical designs. We asked the participants to draw on their past experiences of working in other locations, comparing it to their current workplace, the functionality of the workspaces during challenging times, the diversity of patients coming through their areas, and how their spaces have changed as a result of the 2020 COVID19 global pandemic. Finally, we asked them to suggest how designers could improve the hospital workplace and their ideal hospital work environment.
What were the outcomes?
One of the most substantial concerns expressed by the respondents across all themes was meeting the needs of “vulnerable patients” who include the elderly, mentally ill, children, neurotypically diverse, indigenous people, etc. One conclusion from this project was that design solutions that meet the needs of this group would also meet the needs of many other groups of patients and carers and those of the staff. A further conclusion was the need to focus on areas that architectural design could influence. These range from some aspects of physical planning, e.g., creating flexibility and one-way flows through most experiential issues.
