Evidence-Based Design for Healthcare Work Environments

The chapter connects theories of healthcare architecture research to the three pillars of Healthy Healthcare—staff health and wellbeing, professional practices, and quality of care. The chapter describes the approach of Evidence-Based Design (EBD) that recognises the impact of the built environment on the performance of the healthcare facility and the wellbeing of its users, and questions: How does architecture of healthcare buildings impact healthcare workers’ health and wellbeing, quality of care and professional practices? The chapter highlights how EBD shapes the context of organisational practices, reduces or increases stress, and facilitates or hampers good communication and teamwork in the work environment. In addition, the chapter describes the impact of EBD on patients’ health outcomes, hence connecting the quality of place to the quality of care. This is further described from the perspective of usability and how tools for simulation modelling can enhance the role of professionals in designing effective and efficient healthcare workplaces.