The impact of health facilities on healthcare workers' well-being and performance

Abstract

The impact of health facilities on patients has been extensively researched. Yet, while there is a growing recognition of the need for healthy working environments, little is known about how health facilities affect the staff working in them. This paper explores how the design of health facilities impacts on the well-being and performance of healthcare workers. The article is based on a review of published literature, identified through PubMed and Google, as well as through searches of websites of relevant organizations. Many traditionally designed health facilities seem to impact negatively on the well-being of healthcare workers, as well as on staff recruitment, retention and performance. Better-designed health facilities can improve working conditions and staff safety, and enable staff to do their job more efficiently. The needs of healthcare workers should be taken into account at the initial design stage of health facilities, ideally though direct involvement or meaningful consultation. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.