Comfort Equals Nurturing: Young People Talk About Mental Health Ward Design

The aim of this research was to obtain user perspectives of adolescent patients to inform the redesign of an adolescent mental health inpatient facility ward unit in regional Australia.

It is well established that the consumer will use and understand unit space differently than the health professional, because of their unique positioning and depth of experience. The participation of young people in the design of ward environments and programs is essential.

A combination of focus groups and interviews was undertaken with eight participants.

This study found that, in its current form, the unit revolves around routines, tasks, and patient safety, which in turn are driven by secure spaces and surveillance of the patients. Due to these routines and tasks, the aspects of individualized patient care and personal impetus and comfort are lost. Adolescent patients are able to identify solutions to enhance their hospital stay in the mental health context without being excessive and unrealistic in their suggestions.

When designing an adolescent unit, there needs to be some consideration as to how the group using the unit understands space. Through their role and depth of hospital experience, the adolescent patient will use and understand unit space differently from that of the health professional whose role is a worker. Therefore, it is necessary to gain the perspectives of adolescent patients for efficient and effective functioning of such an environment and to suit the needs of those it is "built for," the adolescent patient.