The healthcare environment—The importance of aesthetic surroundings: Health professionals’ experiences from a surgical ward in Finland

Britt-Maj Wikström, Emma Westerlund, Jaana Erkkilä

Department of Health, Nutrition and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Norway Karolinska Institute, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
Department of Photography, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Wasa, Finland.
Manager of Research and Development, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Wasa, Finland.

DOI: 10.4236/ojn.2012.23029                

Abstract

There is a growing acceptance of the vital role patient centered design plays in shaping the environment. Art can be of use in every area of health care. It is within the power of each person to share and interpret experience by means of the arts, by viewing the work of others, and by using feelings and imagination. Health professionals [n = 24 of a total of n = 35], answered the Wheel Questionnaire test instrument. It measures structure, motivation/engagement, and degree of emotional investment in a situation. Participants were requested to describe, in their own words, their perception of the enrichment of the ward interiordesign and the double-sided photos with a short poetic text, and the photo-book placed at each patient room. The results demonstrate that participants are motivated, structured and emotionally engaged when describing the new enrichment. The domains and themes are: Social interaction domain; rising thoughts and conversations. Comfort domain; atmosphere. Aesthetic do main; enrichment of the working environment. It could be concluded that the surgical ward environmental enrichment stimulated conversations between health professionals and between health professionals and patients and should be regarded as an important aspect in hospital planning.

Keywords

Hospital Ward Environment; Enrichment; Health Professionals

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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