Factors influencing optimal hospital design: A comparative study between thai and norwegian public hospitals

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the factors that influence the design process for public hospitals. The paper intends to provide knowledge regarding the hospital planning and design process from the perspective of policy makers, facilities managers, hospital planners and hospital designers. This study is a qualitative study, where twelve participants from Thai and Norwegian hospitals were interviewed. Respondents included hospital project directors (n=3), hospital planners/designers (n= 5), and facilities managers (n= 4). Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic and content analysis. Four main themes were identified from the analysis: (1) organization of the healthcare system (2) hospital management system (3) work systems in the healthcare organization (4) hospital design process. Comparisons of results were made between Thailand (a developing country that strives to provide sufficient healthcare services) and Norway (a developed Nordic country that provides efficient public healthcare services). The main finding of this study indicates the critical importance of user involvement in the hospital design process in both countries. The involvement of different stakeholders in each stage of the design process is the key to successful design outcome. Other issues and recommendations for designers are further discussed.