Design Issues in Hospitals

Abstract

Adolescents are underrepresented in the research on health care design. This qualitative study examined the preferences of 54 male and 46 female junior high school students, aged 12 to 14, regarding the physical design and visiting policies of hospitals. Participants compared and rated color photos of hallways and lobbies for units with adult-oriented decoration versus child-oriented decoration and answer questions about such issues as privacy, amenities, entertainment, and visiting hours policy. Responses were analyzed to explore adolescents' criteria for hospital design. Adolescents prefer the bright colors associated with childhood but reject the emblems of childhood, such as teddy bears and balloons. Recommendations from adolescents include private bedrooms and bathrooms, full-coverage pajamas, access to DVDs, continuous availability of food, and a lenient visiting policy.