Exploring Healing Design Elements for Patient Room Design: Preferences of Adolescent Patients from Surgical Units

Although the substantial influence of hospital environments on well-being has been widely recognized, research on the same topic for adolescent patients is limited. This study examined adolescent patients’ preferences in hospital room designs to identify design elements that can potentially promote the healing process. Eight computer-simulated patient room images were developed through the combinations of three design elements- trim style (straight vs. arch), ceiling and floor details (plain vs. decorated), and window view (nature vs. city). Adolescent patients evaluated the images of patient room images using seven preference evaluation words on a Likert scale. Adolescent patients did not differ in preference for either straight or arch trim styles (p > 0.05). Also, the different ceiling and floor details, such as plain vs. decorated, did not differ in the responses (p > 0.05). However, the study results indicated that more adolescent patients strongly prefer the nature view than the city view (p < 0.01), with higher peaceful, comfortable, pleasant, private, and enjoyable perceptions. Therefore, the window view was the most significant among the examined design elements, directing the value of relaxation and connection beyond the hospital environment. The results imply that 3D simulation of the patient room images adopting design elements can quantify adolescent patients’ perceptions of room design in conjunction with the Likert scale. Based on the results of this study, adolescent patient rooms should be designed and developed considering natural stimulation aspects in connection with the outside environment.