Well-being in indoor public spaces of tertiary hospitals post coronavirus disease 2019 in Delhi and Rotterdam, a Salutogenic approach

Studies depict that patients often dread visits to the hospital because of an increased chance of spread of infections. Hence, this study investigated the design parameters that should be incorporated in the indoor public spaces in tertiary hospitals, as patients spend the most time here pre-diagnosis. The research focuses on reception, waiting areas, circulation areas and toilets as public areas in a tertiary hospital. The research utilized the salutogenic approach as it has been less adopted in past studies. Firstly, systematic reviews of the literature and design guidelines were conducted. Secondly, post-occupancy evaluation of tertiary hospitals in Delhi and Rotterdam were carried out. Finally, a focus group discussion was conducted with experienced healthcare architects to validate the framework of the design strategies. The main factors highlighted in the post-occupancy evaluations were parameters including ventilation, disinfection and layout. However, during the focus group discussion, digitalization, disinfection, daylight and ventilation were identified as key parameters. This study depicted that well-being should be incorporated into hospital design as a priority. Nevertheless, further research is required on the incorporation of digitalization in healthcare. This research will benefit architects in the design process while designing the public spaces of hospitals to improve the well-being.