Examining the Impact of Family-Friendly Design on Dying Patients
Prioritizing a comfortable and functional space for visitors in hospital patient rooms is a common goal for design teams, but the actual effects of these efforts have been difficult to quantify. A new study published in the Health Environments Research & Design (HERD) Journal sought to address this gap in evidence.
Conducted by researchers at North Denmark Regional Hospital, the study focused on adult cancer patients receiving end-of-life care. The participants, all parents of children aged 0-18, were offered the opportunity to stay in a family-friendly room equipped with cozy furniture, a big-screen television, and game consoles.
According to the study’s analysis, these family-friendly rooms made it easier for children to visit their sick parents and helped the families maintain their relationships. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of creating a comfortable space with activities within hospital rooms for patients and their families.
To delve into the full study, it is available for Healthcare Design readers to access from February 1st to April 1st.
For previous HERD studies, visit the link provided.
