title: Architecture capabilities to improve healthcare environments.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The physical environment of healthcare buildings has great importance in issues such as patient safety, functional efficiency, user satisfaction, healthcare outcomes, and energy and resources consumption.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study assesses physical environments of Iranian healthcare buildings.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed using a descriptive-analytical method. Data collection was carried out via a written questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the findings of this study, "functional efficiency", "user satisfaction", "environmental issues", "patient safety", "accountability in incidents and disasters", and "flexibility" are regarded as the most issues in the country's hospitals. Also, none of the parameters is "without any problem" and has a "desirable status".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the responses, all of the healthcare buildings in this research had flaws in their physical environment, which require attention. Thus, it is necessary to review and pay more attention to the architecture of the country's healthcare buildings.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Research Center and Plastic Surgery Ward, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Architecture and Urbanism, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mardomi
authors.affiliation: Department of Architecture and Urbanism, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Kasra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hassanpour Rahimabad
keywords: Architecture as Topic; Facility Design and Construction; Health Facility Environment