A framework for the design of pediatric healthcare environment using the Delphi technique

Abstract

By investigating specific therapeutic goals and design considerations, this paper aims to develop a framework for the design of a pediatric healthcare-built environment. Growing body of research indicates that the characteristics of pediatric healthcare facilities differ from those of adult healthcare facilities, therefore the findings of adult healthcare facility design cannot be generalized to pediatric healthcare facility design. Moreover, the studies specifically focusing on the built environment in pediatric healthcare are also sparse. Literature studies were conducted to extract therapeutic goals and design considerations. Two rounds of the Delphi technique were used to extract the Indian experts’ opinions, and to make a consensus among the experts on each goal and design considerations. SPPS software was used to calculate statistical output i.e., mean, standard deviation (SD), Interquartile range (IQR), coefficient of variation (CV), and boxplots. Results were drawn with the help of statistical data and boxplots. Finally, eight therapeutic goals and 33 design considerations emerged which may contribute towards designing pediatric healthcare environments. The design considerations will aid architects and facility planners in making design decisions for new or renovated pediatric healthcare facilities.

Keywords

• Pediatric
• Healthcare
• Healing Spaces
• Delphi
• Framework