Author:

Keywords:

built environment, day surgery, movement, patient experience, qualitative research, space, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Public, Environmental & Occupational Health, academic research, ambulatory care centers, environment design, hospital, surgical centers, patient-centered care, practice research, THEATER, ANXIETY, PEOPLE, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Female, Hospital Design and Construction, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Preference, Patients, Qualitative Research, Surgery Department, Hospital, Transportation of Patients, Walking, Wheelchairs, 11 Medical and Health Sciences, 12 Built Environment and Design, 4203 Health services and systems

Abstract:

Objective: In this article we explore what a different way of moving - being wheeled versus walking - means for the spatial experience of day surgery patients. Background: Day surgery centres can be conceived in very different manners. Some are organised similar to traditional hospital admittance; others are located in a specifically designed part of the hospital, and receive patients as guests who walk through the entire procedure. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 36 patients at two distinct day surgery centres. Results: Despite the different managerial concepts and corresponding spatial designs, in both centres patients’ spatial experience is shaped by the interrelation of material, social and time related aspects. However, the chosen concept results in a different experience throughout patients’ journey. Conclusions: Based on an analysis of the different journeys we conclude that patients' interpretation of a hospital’s care vision is influenced not only by what the hospital communicates explicitly or how it educates its staff, but also by what is implicitly told by the built environment.