Design's role in the healing process is complicated. Simply having talented and experienced practitioners execute floor plans and exterior forms based upon a program will produce a beautiful building, but not yield the intended result. Instead, there must be an internal commitment to providing patient centered care.
1. Hospitals must cultivate a culture that values patient centered design.
2. Hospitals must commit themselves and their staff to the design process so that it can be fully communicated to and studied by the design professionals. A true dialogue must be established for the intent to be realized in the built environment.
3. The care model must look at design from the point of view of patients, family and staff.
4. Design features that will specifically enhance the care of patients must be identified and a commitment must be made to keep them as part of the project.
