Evidence-Based Design: A Sustainable Approach for Planning and Designing Pediatric Healthcare Environments

Abstract

Designing pediatric healthcare facilities requires a thorough understanding of the unique needs of children, which differ from those of adults in terms of physical, emotional, and developmental requirements. Addressing these needs ensures that pediatric patients receive specialised care for their well-being and recovery. Little evidence is available regarding the design variables of pediatric healthcare facilities. Evidence-based design (EBD) has emerged as a sustainable approach that integrates research, empirical evidence, and best practices into the healthcare design process. This paper identifies the design variables of pediatric healthcare facilities impacting the outcomes of patients, families, and staff and develops a conceptual framework for the pediatric healthcare-built environment. A literature review were conducted to identify the design variables of pediatric healthcare environments and the opinion of experts was gathered to finalise the design variables.  A conceptual framework for pediatric healthcare environments was developed consisting of 96 design variables under eight therapeutic goals namely: child-friendly environment; nature and outdoors; privacy; positive distraction; therapeutic play; peer and family support; safety and security; and comfort that have the potential to impact the outcomes of patient, families, and staff. Incorporating these variables into the design would contribute to improved patient outcomes.