Why not ask the patient? An evaluation of the aesthetic surroundings in hospitals by patients.
BACKGROUND
The first part of this comprehensive study examined and analyzed strategic plans for the general hospitals in Norway. The concern was to discover the way in which the aesthetic dimension is taken into consideration and what guidelines the strategic plans provide. The result showed a general lack of guidelines, and it was therefore decided to ask patients how they would characterize and evaluate the aesthetics in their environments.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the second part of the study was to find out how the patients evaluate the aesthetics in the general hospitals, and to ascertain their opinion as to how aesthetics influences health and wellness. The theoretical background for the investigation was based on literature studies from the caring sciences, philosophical theories, and results of international research. The purpose of this article is to present the results from the second part of the study addressing the human need for aesthetics in the surroundings and in life in general. The investigation was carried out at 6 general hospitals in Norway.


METHODS
A questionnaire was constructed in which the patients were asked to give their opinion on the aesthetics in the hospital environment and the influence aesthetics might have on health and wellness. The questionnaire contained 22 main questions, each with detailed and specific subquestions. For instance, concerning the question about "art," patients were asked to evaluate paintings, pictures, tapestries, sculptures, decorations, mosaic works and water decorations, fountains, etc.


RESULTS
The results in general showed that aesthetic surroundings are important for health and wellness, according to the patients' opinion. The aesthetics in the hospital environment was evaluated and generally considered to be less than satisfactory by the patients. They felt that the aesthetic issues are not attended to as well as they would have liked.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary it can be concluded that according to the patient experiences, the aesthetic area is a neglected field, and it is important to focus more on this field to understand what high-quality patient care should embrace.
Caspari
Synnøve
S
Faculty of Nursing, Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway. synnove.caspari@su.hio.no
Nåden
Dagfinn
D
Eriksson
Katie
K
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004777:Environment; D004954:Esthetics; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006302:Health Services Research; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010361:Patients