title: Using of Group-Modeling in Predesign Phase of New Healthcare Environments: Stakeholders Experiences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current research shows a relationship between healthcare architecture and patient-related outcomes. The planning and designing of new healthcare environments is a complex process. The needs of the various end users of the environment must be considered, including the patients, the patients' significant others, and the staff. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of healthcare professionals participating in group modeling utilizing system dynamics in the predesign phase of new healthcare environments. We engaged healthcare professionals in a series of workshops using system dynamics to discuss the planning of healthcare environments in the beginning of a construction and then interviewed them about their experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  An explorative and qualitative design was used to describe participants' experiences of participating in the group-modeling projects. Participants (N = 20) were recruited from a larger intervention study using group modeling and system dynamics in planning and designing projects. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two themes were formed, representing the experiences in the group-modeling process: "Participation in the group modeling generated knowledge and was empowering" and "Participation in the group modeling differed from what was expected and required the dedication of time and skills."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method can support participants in design teams to focus more on their healthcare organization, their care activities, and their aims rather than focusing on detailed layout solutions. This clarification is important when decisions about the design are discussed and prepared and will most likely lead to greater readiness for future building process.
authors: Department of Nursing, School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden mel@du.se.
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Elf
authors: Department of Nursing, School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
authors: Ann Catrine
authors: AC
authors: Eldh
authors: School of Architecture, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors: Inga
authors: I
authors: Malmqvist
authors: Department of Nursing, School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Öhrn
authors: Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet (KI), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Lena
authors: L
authors: von Koch
mesh_terms: D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000379:methods*; D006126:Group Processes; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011209:Power, Psychological; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013548:Sweden
keywords: codesign; design development; design methodology; environments of care; group modeling; participatory design; quality improvements; system thinking