Chrysikou, E; (2018) The ecopsychosocial complexities of acute psychiatric wards. In: Christer, K and Craig, C and Wolstenholme, D, (eds.) Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Design4Health. (pp. pp. 91-102). Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield, UK.

Preview

Text Chrysikou_complexities of acute psychiatric wards.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

In the past, buildings for mental health have followed experimental, uneven patterns. That hindered the creation of established design methods. The gap was addressed with a user-inclusive model, the “SCP model”. Its application to successful (awarded) psychiatric facilities indicated that staff and patients questioned this success. This hiatus between top-down vs bottom up perception of therapeutic environment, generated the need to investigate the socio-spatial context of psychiatric wards. This research aimed to promote our understanding of psychiatric space in relation to social interaction. The locus comprised 2 acute wards, each evaluated using the SCP model. Parallel, they were analysed using Space Syntax to identify the social logic of their layout in terms of hierarchies, staffs control of the ward in terms of supervision and opportunities for social engagement. The juxtaposition of medical architecture, an area specialising in patient-focused environments and the more generic space syntax methodology highlighted common factors being perceived differently between these two disciplines. It also identified challenges for space syntax. The latter produced inverse results when used for mental health premises compared to other building types, raising questions for the applicability in healthcare settings. However, these inverse results could be interpreted by Goffman’s theory on total institutions and listing community mental health wards as such. The findings questioned the appropriateness of generic methodologies for healthcare. It highlighted their lack of sensitivity in perceiving limitations to spatial movement and human co-presence resulting from illness. Integrated approaches of evaluating healthcare settings need to be developed. Use of medical architecture, as a discipline, and patient involvement, as opposed to clinician and architect only, are essential to achieve comprehensive understanding of ecopsychosocially supportive environments.

Download activity - last month

Export as JSONXMLCSV

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Archive Staff Only

View Item