Tsami Christina Anastasia, Chrysikou Evangelia
Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom.
Stud Health Technol Inform. 2024 Nov 29;319:103-115. doi: 10.3233/SHTI240936.
Hospitals, as institutions serving a diverse population, must address the needs of individuals with disabilities. While many nations prioritize a public health approach to hospital accessibility, this research contends that specialized strategies are vital to accommodate the complex requirements of all users. The study employs a mixed-method methodology. It encompasses an in-depth literature review on accessible design theories, cross-country comparisons of regulations in five nations (Greece, UK, USA, Australia, Sweden), and a survey evaluating existing accessibility within Greek hospitals. The review and cross-country comparisons underscore the pressing demand for specialized attention to wheelchair users and reveal a glaring absence of regulations catering to the visually and hearing impaired. The survey results illuminate a concerning trend of noncompliance with existing rules, underscoring the urgency for legislative actions and the establishment of international standards to ensure comprehensive accessibility. Although strides have been taken, strict adherence to regulations remains paramount. The research places paramount importance on social well-being and equity in healthcare access for individuals with disabilities. It is evident that individuals experience emotional difficulties when confronted with accessibility obstacles, underscoring the necessity to integrate emotional support into hospital design in conjunction with accessible design principles. The study aligns closely with the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, advocating for equal access to healthcare and specialized care for vulnerable populations. In conclusion, the research significantly contributes to the conference's overarching theme by delving into the intricate interplay between design, social well-being, and emotional health within healthcare facilities. The primary focus on the inclusion of individuals with disabilities serves as a driving force in the pursuit of a more equitable and accessible healthcare landscape.
医院作为服务多样化人群的机构，必须满足残疾人的需求。虽然许多国家将公共卫生方法作为医院无障碍建设的重点，但本研究认为，专门的策略对于满足所有用户的复杂需求至关重要。该研究采用了混合方法。它包括对无障碍设计理论的深入文献综述、对五个国家（希腊、英国、美国、澳大利亚、瑞典）法规的跨国比较，以及一项评估希腊医院现有无障碍程度的调查。综述和跨国比较强调了对轮椅使用者给予专门关注的迫切需求，并揭示了明显缺乏针对视力和听力障碍者的法规。调查结果揭示了令人担忧的不遵守现有规则的趋势，凸显了采取立法行动和制定国际标准以确保全面无障碍的紧迫性。尽管已经取得了进展，但严格遵守法规仍然至关重要。该研究高度重视残疾人在医疗保健获取方面的社会福祉和公平性。显然，当残疾人面临无障碍障碍时会经历情感困难，这凸显了将情感支持与无障碍设计原则相结合纳入医院设计的必要性。该研究与公平、多样性和包容性原则紧密契合，倡导为弱势群体提供平等的医疗保健和专门护理。总之，该研究通过深入探讨医疗设施中设计、社会福祉和情感健康之间的复杂相互作用，为会议的总体主题做出了重大贡献。对纳入残疾人的主要关注是追求更公平、更无障碍的医疗保健格局的驱动力。
