Does Space Matter? An Exploratory Study for a Child–Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Health Environments Research & Design Journal 2016, Vol. 10(1) 23-44
Article
The aim of this study is to explore design elements and spaces as a contributing influence to behavior and well-being for patients, staff, and families in a child–adolescent mental health unit.
Background: The University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital Child–Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit embarked on a renovation project to relocate the hospital’s child and adolescent mental health units. Evidence-based strategies were employed for the design of the new unit to enhance the experience for patients, staff, and families and to support changes in operational and procedural strategies.
A mixed-methods approach was utilized to explore the influence of several design strategies intended to induce calm feelings for patients, staff, and families. A comprehensive literature review informed the design process and study design. Methods include patient image surveys (PIS; n 1⁄4 188), online staff surveys (n 1⁄4 48), and face-to-face staff interviews (n 1⁄4 25).
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FEATURED AUTHORS
Stefnee Trzpuc, CID, EDAC, LEED AP
BWBR
Stefnee Trzpuc is a design research and knowledge management specialist at BWBR. Stefnee leads design research, expertise sharing, and information management initiatives to enhance a knowledge sharing culture at BWBR. She oversees and conducts design research across market typologies and has work published in Health Environments Research and Design Journal, including the article Does Space Matter? An Exploratory Study for a Child-Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit, Ms. Trzpuc is also an adjunct instructor and frequent guest lecturer at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and an invited presenter at industry conferences and events.
Sophia Skemp, Associate AIA
BWBR
Sophia Skemp is an emerging medical planner at BWBR. Taking experiences from immersive internships in both design research and health care architecture, Sophia works closely with senior medical planning professionals and project teams. Her work includes the Hennepin County Medical Center Ambulatory Outpatient Specialty Center, HealthPartners Neuroscience Center, Mayo Clinic Obstetrics/Gynecology Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Relocation, and multiple facility master plans. Sophia is a co-author of Does Space Matter? An Exploratory Study for a Child-Adolescent Mental Health Inpatient Unit, published in Health Environments Research and Design Journal.
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