ASSESSMENT OF THERAPEUTIC RECREATIONAL SPACES IN ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITALS IN MINNA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is a growing interest about the impact of the physical environment on the recovery process of patients among health care providers and designers. Healthcare settings and their surrounding outdoor spaces are regarded as the most complex and challenging of all public institutions due to the numerous activities carried out within these facilities. ‘‘We shape our buildings thereafter our buildings shape us’’ this notion has been recognised and emphasised by researchers in recent times. The trend now is to have hospital environments that brings patients close to nature so as to enhance their recovery. However, very little attention has been given to incorporating recreational spaces that are amenable in hospital settings as a therapeutic tool that can aid patients with limitations in mobility acquire or maintain skills that will allow them to function optimally in the society. More also, orthopaedic patients often stay longer during recovery depending on the severity of their injury. The aim of this research therefore, is to assess the impact recreational spaces that are amenable in a hospital setting. A descriptive research method was adopted for this study, both quantitative and qualitative data were obtained through reviewing of literatures, the use of observation schedule, questionnaires, and interviews. A total of 150 questionnaires were randomly administered to patients in five (5) purposively selected tertiary hospitals in Northern Nigeria of which 128 were returned. One observation schedule for each hospital while interviews were conducted. The data collected was analysed using SPSS. The results were further presented in table and chats. Findings reveals courtyards 36%, common rooms 23% are the most available recreational spaces, seating areas 29%, plants 27%, and shades 25% are the major attractors to these spaces, patients asserted that gardens 40% and covered porches 35% were located far away from the wards, conveniences 46% was highlighted as the least appealing space with the hospital. The research brings to fore certain recreational spaces such as gardens, courtyards, water bodies, indoor gym, seating areas, walkways, and active sport courts, that can be integrated in the design of health facilities due to the enormous benefits derived from them. Furthermore, these spaces should be located as close as possible to the patients in order to encourage participation. This thesis recommends that orthopaedic hospitals should have healing gardens and other active land and water based sports.