Healing Environments, What's The Proof?

Overview: Healing Environments What s the Proof? Americans believe when they become sick diseased or injured they need medical attention to be cured. We have long associated curing with healing; believing that to be cured is to be healed. It is our expectation that medical facilities are healing environments. However are they? Can a place heal? Can it be proved? Healing environments continue to be defined and with new qualities including safety security accessibility sustainable and now evidence-based design . Evidence-based design has become the new design tool of choice. Barriers can be mitigated allowing elements such as better lighting art programs and even water features to be specified with evidence that these amenities can actually improve patient outcomes and even reduce operating costs. Evidence-based design proves the value of healing environments. The goal of this book is define the characteristics of a healing environment suggesting ten essential components: place change people comfort senses knowledge empowerment biophilia spirit and experience. Secondly observe these elements within their natural setting. Third view humanity s natural ability to heal. Fourth inquire and act upon supporting evidence. And fifth engage in the transformational model of healing through the experience. In addition Dr. Wan contributing author adds the final chapter summarizing the current research in evidence-based design. Evidence-based design like evidence-based medicine has the power to move design to a new level of understanding and value. This book provides defining evidence that supports the latest scientific proof regarding the power of healing environments.