DESIGNING FOR RECOVERY

Ravideep Singh, Associate Director at Creative Designer Architects (CDA), sheds light on how evidence-based design can transform healthcare facilities into healing environments, benefiting both patients and caregivers by prioritising health, well-being, and efficient operations.

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"If a place can make you happy, can it also make you well?" Esther Sternberg

Healthcare architecture needs recalibration, and designing the right built environment will help recuperate the losses faced over the past years due to systemic failures. Healthcare facilities are no longer limited to just buildings accommodating equipment to treat ailments and diseases. The impetus in healthcare today is to restructure itself and create healing environments for patients and healthy workplaces for caregivers.

Until recently, healthcare facilities worldwide have remained restricted by the rulebook and standard measurements, limiting designers to mandated regulations. As a result, the built space remains uninspired and clinical. The Center for Health Design (CHD) defines Evidence-Based Design (EBD) as "a deliberate attempt to base building decisions on the best available research evidence to improve outcomes and of continuing to monitor the success or failure for subsequent decision-making."

THE NEED FOR EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTHCARE DESIGN:

The healthcare system needs such an informed, research-based model to create environments that foster occupants' health and well-being. Healing spaces aim to create positive, stress-free, and calming environments for patients, relatives, and caregivers alike. Reduced stress is proven to trigger recovery rates, improve patient compliance with medication regimens, and minimise postoperative pain and adverse effects on the immune system.

STRATEGEIES IN EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN:

Evidence-based design has gained momentum in a post-pandemic world, highlighting the rising need to honour caregivers with hospitable workspaces. Despite studies consistently showing strong evidence linking caregiver experience to patient safety and patient experience, they have been mostly disregarded in the design process.