Health-care environments impact patient outcomes (POs), but little is known of the perspective of health-care facilities managers (HFMs) on how the built environment impacts POs. This study aims to explore HFMs’ perspectives on the impact of selected built environment variables (BEVs) on POs.
In line with the phenomenological strategy of qualitative inquiry, the study explored HFMs’ awareness of how selected BEVs impact POs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 experienced HFMs. The interviews, conducted in-person or through video conferencing, lasted 30 min to 1 h 9 min. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
HFMs were generally aware of various dimensions of the built environment’s impact on POs but were largely unaware of the evidence-based design (EBD) approach of designing health-care facilities based on scientific research findings on the impact of the physical environment on POs.
Participants’ insight on the impact of BEVs on POs could be used by designers and HFMs to create and manage health-care environments to improve POs, increase staff efficiency and well-being and ensure operational efficiency. Conversely, participants’ unawareness of the EBD approach of relying on scientific research data in health-care design decisions calls for awareness creation among HFMs to adopt scientific data-driven approaches in creating and managing health-care environments.
Most studies on health-care environments rely on data from patients, relatives and clinician workers. This study provides a new dimension of insights, from HFMs, on the impact of BEVs on POs.
