The Family Zones study is the fourth of six research studies being conducted as part of the Centre’s bold Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) project.
In the new West Park hospital, each patient room will have a welcoming, dedicated area for family/friends, designed to enable family and loved ones to spend more quality time with patients receiving rehabilitative and complex continuing care. Additionally, select areas of the new facility may also house dedicated family zones.
Before and after the new hospital is built, the study will provide insights into hospital spaces being used by patients and their family/friends as meeting and respite areas, and will explore if the provision of a more welcoming and engaging environment results in greater family involvement in decision-making and care delivery. Findings may also help inform the future design of similar family zones in the new building, in addition to the in-room family zones.
Pre- and Post-Occupancy Research Activities
Pre-Occupancy
The pre-occupancy (pre-construction) phase of the Family Zones study is now closed. The study will gather data to determine locations where patients and their family/friends spend time inside the hospital. To determine how patients and their family/friends will most benefit from the introduction of family zones in the new hospital, user feedback was collected from West Park patients, their families and clinicians.
Post-Occupancy
The post-occupancy (post-construction) phase of the Family Zones study is planned for 2024-2025. The new West Park hospital will be assessed to measure how family zones impact patients and their families, and contribute to a better, more inclusive patient and family experience in a rehabilitation setting.
Feedback Wanted
Feedback on the West Park experience in the current hospital has now been collected. Feedback on the new hospital will be collected when the new facility is built (planned for 2024-2025). West Park patients, family/friends and staff are strongly encouraged to participate in the Family Zones or other POE studies. To participate in future POE activities or to learn more, please contact POE@westpark.org.