Iranian studyhighlights youngsters’preferences

 This paper describes a recent questionnaire-based study which gauged the views of adolescents and younger children on the current shortcomings and space issues in children’s hospitals in Iran, with the responses then used to develop future design and planning guidelines.

 Due to the likely difference of opinion between children and parents, it is prudent to consider children’s opinions and preferences when developing the design for particular parts of a hospital, and the amenities provided within it. Previous research in this area has successfully harnessed this approach. Devlin and Blumberg1 analysed the responses of 54 boys and 46 girls between the ages of 12 and 14 regarding the design and special characteristics of children’s hospitals. They showed colour pictures of the hallway and lobby of a hospital, which were considered appropriate for each age group, to two groups of children and adolescents, and sought their response. They also sought and analysed their views and opinions on topics including private spaces, the overall hospital environment, spare time activity provision and entertainment facilities, general areas, and visiting hours. When asked about the hospital hallway and lobby, most of those questioned expressed a preference for light colours and bright hallways with innovative designs, while opinions on the lobby area itself tended to mirror those of adolescents, with little interest, for example, in having tricycles, and children’s toys, there. Among the elements identified as key to creating a “perfect room” were: comfortable furniture (99%), a clock (88%), a balcony (87%), and a high ceiling (86%). While one of the issues in a hospital environment is the feeling of having little control of one’s personal surroundings, good design can improve matters by giving patients some degree of private space.2 This is especially important for adolescents due to their special agerelated personalities. For example, 96% of the respondents cited the importance of having a private bath. Next most important (at 89%) was having a private room where they could lock the door, indicating the need for privacy, although the research showed a considerable variation in views on the latter for those aged between 11 and 13.3 Among the adolescents questioned, 82% expressed a preference for comfortable clothing that covers the whole body, with some wanting to have their own pyjamas, indicating their desire to have a degree of control and maintain their individuality. Approaches such as having a curtain around the bed to enhance privacy had only a 28% approval rating. Specific questions about the hospital facilities that should ideally be provided showed that 97% of respondents wanted access to, and control of, a television – hardly a surprising finding given that most children spend long hours watching TV as a source of entertainment, while the distraction entailed also helps prevent them from focusing too much on their illness.4 The next desired “item” was music, selected by 96% of the participants. Compact music devices such as IPods, MP3 players, and headphones, provide the means for patients to listen to their favourite songs. Third most important was having a telephone by the bedside, selected by 95%, while provision of areas for family and friends (91%), and space to hang posters (50%), were also among the preferences expressed. In response to the question: “How would you like to spend your time in the hospital?”, 99% of the respondents cited having access to ageappropriate DVDs and CDs, followed by availability of light snacks, and visits by friends (98%). Adolescents have their own particular preferences as regards food,5 which may not necessarily be categorised as healthy;6 thus they should be provided with simple and healthy food.7 The ability for friends to visit was seen by adolescents as highly important in enhancing their social interaction and confidence.8 In fact, this age group preferred being visited by friends than by parents (98% vs. 83%). Children’s games were not of interest to adolescents. It also became clear that the information provided to young patients should be commensurate with their age and level of knowledge.9 Among 15 specific hospital “areas” put forward in the questionnaire, a “play area” was the top choice (92%) since such areas help meet young patients’ social, mental, and physical needs. The second most popular choice was an exercise area (82%), followed by having access to a kitchen (79%). Although access to a library, now commonly available in most hospitals, was low down in terms of selection priority (2%), availability of a reading room was rated considerably higher, being considered important by 51% of respondents. For family visits, one of the new design policies now considered by hospitals is to have areas for family-based therapy, which in turn helps facilitate the presence of family and allows family members to spend more time with the patient.10 Overall, 42% of the adolescents said they would prefer to have family stay overnight in the same room, while 45% would prefer a separate room for parents. Respondents were as keen for friends to be able to stay 24-hours-a-day as they were for parents to do so, indicating the importance of the presence of friends in hospitals.

Establishment of new spaces in hospitals in Iran