Being Wheeled or Walking: A Qualitative Study of Patients' Spatial Experience in Two Distinct Day Surgery Centers. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Annemans, Margo; Audenhove, Chantal Van; Vermolen, Hilde; Heylighen, Ann
• Other Names: Oakland Kathy guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: HERD. Volume 9:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 176
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: academic research -- ambulatory care centers -- environment design -- hospital -- qualitative research -- surgical centers -- patient-centered care -- practice research; Health facilities -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Design and construction; Medical care; Periodicals; 725.5
• DOI: 10.1177/1937586715626548
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1937-5867

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 centers can be conceived in very different manners. Some are organized 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 semistructured interviews with 37 patients at two distinct day surgery centers. Results: Despite the different managerial concepts and corresponding spatial designs, in both centers, 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.