Book chapter
Transforming the NICU Environment for Parent and Staff Wellbeing: A Holistic and Transdisciplinary Supportive Design Approach
How Designers Are Transforming Healthcare, pp.77-99
Springer Nature, 1st
11/08/2024
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Abstract
The importance of creating a supportive and positive environment in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) has gained increasing attention over the past few decades. This paper explores the transformative impact of a holistic and transdisciplinary supportive design approach to the refurbishment of non-clinical spaces of a NICU environment on the wellbeing of parents and staff. Drawing upon the ongoing research on environmental design in healthcare, in this project the design team focus on strategies to promote positive experiences, rather than merely addressing the discomfort caused by negative aspects of the environment [5]. We also apply a holistic and transdisciplinary approach by considering the visual, spatial, and service experience aspects of design, and bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds , including parents, clinical staff, and a core design team with expertise across interior architecture, visual communication design, service design, and design psychology, to work collaboratively towards a common goal. While neonatal intensive care units draw upon medical expertise to prioritise the care of sick infants, this project applies design expertise to cater to a broader perspective which also encompasses family-centred care, and recognises the significance of supporting the wellbeing of all stakeholders involved in NICU care. In particular, this project acknowledges the importance of caring for the carers, namely staff and parents, and, while it was not a focus of this study, we also recognise that design transformations may result in secondary benefits for infant patients in the NICU, such as improved caregiver morale and attentiveness, which can positively impact the quality of care provided to the infants.
Details
- Title
- Transforming the NICU Environment for Parent and Staff Wellbeing: A Holistic and Transdisciplinary Supportive Design Approach
- Creators
- Sarah Johnstone - Queensland University of TechnologyEvonne Miller - Queensland University of TechnologyAnastasia Tyurina - Queensland University of TechnologyLeighann Ness Wilson - Queensland University of TechnologyAbbe Winter - Queensland University of Technology
- Contributors
- Evonne Miller Professor (Editor of compilation) - Queensland University of TechnologySatyan Chari Dr (Editor of compilation) - Queensland HealthAbbe Winter Dr (Editor of compilation) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication Details
- How Designers Are Transforming Healthcare, pp.77-99
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; Singapore
- Edition
- 1st
- Number of pages
- 23
- Identifiers
- 991013386452402368
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Author(s)
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter