Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification

EDAC Update: June 2008

We now have almost 200 professionals receiving the EDAC updates and the list is growing everyday!

Each month we share the latest information regarding program development and volunteer opportunities.  We invite you to share this information with your colleagues.      If you know anyone that would like to be added to our e-mail list please contact Callie Fahsholz at cfahsholz@healthdesign.org.

Recent Activities

EDAC Milestone: Study Guide One Out for Review

We are pleased to announce that the first EDAC study guide is nearing completion!  As our educational partner in this endeavor, Nurture by Steelcase will receive the first glimpse of the guides and erview them for clarity, organization and content.  This is a milestone in getting the EDAC program launched and we are eager to receive their feedback.  Many thanks go out to our volunteers and Nurture for their time, energy and expertise that went into this guide!

Here's a peek at the study guide titles and drafts of the covers:

1. An Introduction to Evidence-Based Design: Exploring Healthcare and Design

2. Building the Evidence Base: Understanding Research in Healthcare Design

3. Integrating Evidence-Based Design: Practicing the Healthcare Design Process

Creating the Exam: Time to Review

The EDAC exam is also nearing its final phases of completion.  With the help of our psychometrician, the questions are in the approval process and will be followed by an internal review.  Then upon review, the team will collaborate to set the passing score for candidates.

We look forward to providing updates on exam release dates as soon as they become available.

Behind the Scenes

Who knew that putting together an educational program would be so complicated?  The work doesn't stop!  As our course developers work on study guide two, the manuscript for guide three is being finalized.  Each day our dedicated volunteers and partners provide us encouragement and expertise on all the EDAC projects and we are excited to see the culmination of their dedication.

Why EDAC: The Mission and Vision Defined

As the excitement around EDAC has grown, and the various moving parts of the program have taken shape, it became evident that it was time to redefine our purpose.  In drafting EDAC's new purpose statements, we hope it will inform decisions and help define the program as it is launched into the design community.  Thanks for being a part of our vision as we approach this progressive change in the industry.

Mission: To develop a community of accredited industry professionals through educational assessment of an evidnce-based design process.

Vision: A world where all healthcare environments are created using an evidence-based design process.

Upcoming Activities

Have You Heard? EDAC at HEATHCARE DESIGN.08

At this year's HEALTHCARE DESIGN Conference, you won't be able to miss EDAC's presence.  We hope that you will be able to attend the EDAC workshop and round table discussions.  Learn about the EDAC program from experts in the industry, and discover what all the excitement is about.  The workshop will provide the latest information on the exam launch, study guides and detailed discussions about the EBD process.

We hope that you will be able to join us at HCD.08 in November.  For more information on HCD.08 or to register, click here.  In addition to the EDAC workshop, there are many other workshops and sessions that provide up-to-date information on evidence-based design and practical examples of facilities incorporating EBD in their projects.

In the News: Evidence-Based Design Becomes a Standard for Interior Designers

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) has published their professional standards for accreditation of interior designers for 2009.  Within their learning expectations is the ability to, "gather appropriate and necessary information and research findings to solve the problem (evidence-based design)."

For more information on the CIDA 2009 standards click here.

To sign up for the EDAC updates, please email Callie Fahsholz at cfahsholz@healthdesign.org  

Production of EDAC educational tools is made possible by Nurture by Steelcase