Jannette Maree Blennerhassett1, Karen Nancy Borschmann2,3, Ruby Adelaide Lipson-Smith2,3, Julie Bernhardt2,3. 1. 1 Physiotherapy Department, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Austin Health, Kew, Victoria, Australia. 2. 2 The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. 3. 3 NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: To explore the use of a rehabilitation-focused behavioral mapping method to identify changes in patient physical activity, location, and social interaction following the relocation of a rehabilitation ward. BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation wards are unique healthcare environments where patient activity is encouraged to improve recovery. Little is known about the impact of building design on patient behavior within a rehabilitation setting. We examined this issue when a rehabilitation ward was relocated without altering other aspects of the healthcare service. METHOD: The setting was a publicly funded inpatient general rehabilitation ward with a separate therapy area. Before and after ward relocation, patient behavior (location, physical, and social activities) was observed at 10-min intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Patients and staff performed their usual activities during data collection. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients participated in the old ward and 24 in the new ward, resulting in 1,150 and 1,200 observation time points, respectively. Patient location and behaviors were similar between wards ( p > .05). Participants were in bedrooms for more than half of the observations (67% old ward, 58% new ward), sitting down (62.8% old ward, 59.0% new ward), and alone (42.0% old ward, 38.0% new ward). Design features, such as separation of the therapy area and ward, may have impacted on patient behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The rehabilitation-focused behavioral mapping method provided a rich description of relevant patient behaviors, indicating that it is a feasible and useful method for exploring the impact of the built environment in rehabilitation settings.
AIM: To explore the use of a rehabilitation-focused behavioral mapping method to identify changes in patient physical activity, location, and social interaction following the relocation of a rehabilitation ward. BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation wards are unique healthcare environments where patient activity is encouraged to improve recovery. Little is known about the impact of building design on patient behavior within a rehabilitation setting. We examined this issue when a rehabilitation ward was relocated without altering other aspects of the healthcare service. METHOD: The setting was a publicly funded inpatient general rehabilitation ward with a separate therapy area. Before and after ward relocation, patient behavior (location, physical, and social activities) was observed at 10-min intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Patients and staff performed their usual activities during data collection. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients participated in the old ward and 24 in the new ward, resulting in 1,150 and 1,200 observation time points, respectively. Patient location and behaviors were similar between wards ( p > .05). Participants were in bedrooms for more than half of the observations (67% old ward, 58% new ward), sitting down (62.8% old ward, 59.0% new ward), and alone (42.0% old ward, 38.0% new ward). Design features, such as separation of the therapy area and ward, may have impacted on patient behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The rehabilitation-focused behavioral mapping method provided a rich description of relevant patient behaviors, indicating that it is a feasible and useful method for exploring the impact of the built environment in rehabilitation settings.