Patients’ hotel design attributes based on aspects of a healing environment framework and patients’ preferences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v15i2.602Abstract
The lack of access to advanced medical services forces some patients to travel to medical destinations, which raises concerns about health equity. One of the main challenges for both medical travelers and medical centers is ensuring access to lodging facilities at medical destinations. This study explores the preferences of medical travelers for the design features of such facilities, known as patients' hotels, which are necessary for areas with a potential medical service. The research used a literature review, questionnaires, and statistical analysis to identify the critical elements of patients' hotel design features under three influential categories: "distinctive features of patients' hotels,", "patients' rooms", and "public spaces". According to respondents, the critical elements of the first category are proximity to medical centers, consideration of patients' physical and spiritual needs in the design, and a homelike environment. From medical travelers’ perspectives, patient rooms must have a sense of privacy, additional spaces and amenities, and flexible layouts. The degree of social interaction preferred by patients’ companions is “talking to each other” and for patients, it is “participating in a group activity”. The spaces preferred for this interaction are “green spaces of the surrounding area”, and for decorating public spaces, “using greenery” and “traditional architecture patterns” are preferred.
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