The role of arts in healthcare is a relatively new subject but one that new doctors need to be aware of, more and more healthcare professionals are taking a more holisitic approach to patient care, and the healthcare environment is increasingly seen as an important factor in both the patient experience and staff working lives.
To give fourth year medical students experience in this field Zest is working in partnership with the Peninsula Medical School to offer students the opportunity to work on a projects developing healthcare buildings.
The unit was first run in 2005/6 when students worked as part of the project team building the Southwest Cardiothoracic Centre. The students were tasked with investigating the impact of different wayfinding symbols on groups of patients and staff.
The results will be used to inform the wayfinding scheme integrating the new South West Cardiothoracic Centre into the main hospital.
Improving the Healthcare Environment
