title: Architectures for paediatric palliative care: how to improve quality of life and environmental well-being.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The influence of the environment on wellness, not only for patients themselves but for all care-givers as well, refers to the humanisation principles of spaces of care. Commencing with an analysis of existing paediatric hospices, the paper examines design suggestions for prosthetic environments, considered as a fundamental component in the healing process.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prosthetic environment can be created only through a specific knowledge of the real needs of users. Therefore, some scholars have conducted research work for defining the best practices for healing environments, supported by an assessment and comparison of case studies. The methodology is based on two phases: the first is based on interviews with experts in hospice design and management and the second, through the application of a questionnaire to several users. Discussion and Results. The output of the work is the achievement of a logical, sequential and participatory broad-spectrum process in the design of health facilities in order to cause a sustainable awareness in paediatric hospices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Starting from the research work, it is necessary to define a scientific method for implementing knowledge on health, psychological, perceptual and behavioural needs to contribute towards proper planning for meeting the real requirements of users.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gola
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo Carlo
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Francalanza
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galloni
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pagella
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Architettura, Ingegneria delle Costruzioni e Ambiente Costruito (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capolongo
mesh_terms: D001108:Architecture / Q000639:trends*; D002648:Child; D004777:Environment; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000379:methods*; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*; D000070659:Patient Comfort; D011788:Quality of Life; D012106:Research