Projects / Programmes
The analysis of Slovenian health care and social care architectural solutions
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.04.03 |
Social sciences |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Management |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S189 |
Social sciences |
Organizational science |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.06 |
Social Sciences |
Political science |
Architecture, healthcare, public health, social care, organization
Researchers (10)
Organisations (4)
Abstract
Demographic aging of population represents one of the most serious challenges facing most European countries including Slovenia. The proportion of elderly people (particularly ages 65 and above) is increasing as well as life expectancy. In 1971, in Slovenia we had 9,9 % aged over 65 years, in 2018 we had 19,4 % aged over 65 years. Continuous extension of life expectancy is definitely an important achievement (Statistični urad Republike Slovenije, 2015; Statistični urad Republike Slovenije, 2018; Vujovic, 2015). Demographic ageing of population as progress and changing treatments have a significant impact on health facilities and architectural solutions.
In addition to the challenge of demographic ageing of population, the health system is facing with the continuous optimization of the organization of the health system, new technologies and changed patient care plans. This has an impact on complexity of both, the treatment as well as organizational and architectural solutions. Modern concept health and social care institutions have meet a number of challenges which belong to the junction of multidisciplinary topics. Architecture and urbanism meet the aspect of all health professions, security studies, all of which link organizational sciences.
Sustainable architecture in health and social care system were originally arrange to provide health protection at all levels, from buildings for residents to community and even more (American Society for Healthcare Engineering, 2002; Green Guide for Healthcare, 2007).
Architecture is an art and technique of construction that satisfies the practical and expressive needs of people. It also allows a person to facilitate direct confrontation with the elemental forces of nature. The main task of architecture is to create space, in the strict sense – closed space (as well interior as a building), in the strict sense – open space (urbanism). Furthermore, unique and industrial also belongs to space design (Ažman & Momirski, 2006). Planning the environment for health services is a very complex process. Researches and critical discourse are fragmented and do not provide the necessary level of architecture support. Various discussions address the growing needs for home care and also community care, the function of nature as a therapeutic modality, empowering patients, the critical need for a socially just and sustainable environment for health and the need for new paradigms in planning health and support environments (Verdeber, 2010).
Due to changed demography and rising needs, Slovenia needs a critical analysis of the architecture of health and social care institutions from the point of view of the use of the elderly and its usability in the near future.
This is the basis for developing and improving the conditions for managing frailty, geriatric care, nursing hospitals, home care, etc. It can significantly contribute to the intended objectives of the Resolution on a National Healthcare plan (2016-2025).
Specific goals of the project are:
A review of Slovenian architectural solutions for health and social care institutions.
Analysis of the economics of construction and maintenance of health and social care institutions.
Geographical location health and social care institutions with regard to the functioning, demographic changes, environmental characteristics and public health impact.
A review of architectural elements, environmental factors and solutions which affects security of patients and employees in health and social care institutions.
Developing proposals and orientation of architectural solutions in the future.
The project will systematically analyse current architectural and spatial solutions in health and social care system in Slovenia and will also provide new knowledge in this field that will be useful in Slovenia and abroad. Qualitative and quantitative research methodology will be used in order to approach the issue in a comprehensive way.
Work will be organized in the form
Significance for science
In the society where the population is rapidly ageing, the medical and health profession is improving with a quick step, and where the needs for investing in a new health and social care structure are growing, we need a methodical strategic and holistic approach.
The project has a major significance for the development of science as well as for the profession in the area under consideration. Scientific research of the problem of the architecture of health and social care institutions of violence is mostly limited to individual research, research in theses, masters and doctoral theses. The field needs a systematic and scientific approach to review the existing/current research area. To achieve optimal solutions to architectural solutions in the health and social care system, they need a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, including architecture, organization, public health, medical and health profession and science of security studies.
The project will contribute to the following core areas:
Contribution to a wider/broader understanding of the proposed issue;
Laying the foundations for further scientific and professional research into the architecture of health and social care organizations;
Preparing proposals and directing decision makers for further steps.
Significance for the country
Companies and sole/independent proprietors are in the sphere of the private profit sector, while the non-governmental sector is a part of a non-profit private sector and carries out services that the economy does not carry out. In this context the non-governmental sector is complementary to the economy and therefore necessary/required. Healthcare activity as well as service and scientific discipline contribute significantly to health in economic activity, which is also reflected in international policies World Health Organization of Europe. Architecture and investment in infrastructure are directly part of the economic activity. The results of the project will contribute to regulation of the legislation and more accessible planning of in the field of architecture of health and social care institutions.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2019,
2020
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
