Selective Systematic Review: Planned Healthcare Environments Impact on Healing, Health and Well-being

Aim: The objective of this study was to review research to determine if evidence existed to support the assertion that planned healthcare environments utilizing evidence-based design improve healing, health and well-being. Background: Millions of people are treated in hospitals in the United States annually [1]. These facilities are environments where people interact with healthcare experts to achieve healing, health, and wellbeing. Purpose: The literature was investigated to determine if evidence-based design, the planned design of healthcare facilities, impacts human healing, health, and wellbeing. Methods: A systematic review of selected literature was planned and attempted utilizing PRISMA 27-item check list and four-phase flow diagram. Databases included the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psych INFO produced by the American Psychological Association, and PubMed search engine of the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts from the United States National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. This exploration included research and literature regarding the design and development of planned healthcare environments that promote healing, health and wellbeing and the consideration of theory that supports the significance of environment in human development. Results: No evidence was found that support the assertion that planned healthcare environments utilizing evidence-based design improve healing, health and well-being. Limited research evidence prohibited organization and reporting using PRISMA. Conclusion: Research should be completed utilizing a design that helps determine if there is a relationship between planned healthcare environments and healing, health, and well-being.