• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.41-52
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• 2017

This study investigates the waiting and resting behaviors of children within a restorative healthcare facility design. In particular, the aim is to compare children with and without disabilities and reveal similarities and differences in terms of their behavioral characteristics and uses of design facilities, related to positive distraction, for restoration in the hospital. Three major common spaces for outpatients in S children's hospital in Seoul were examined including the main lobby and two waiting and resting spaces in the pediatric and rehabilitation medicine departments, respectively. A total of 155 children under the age of 12-67 with physical disabilities and 88 without-were observed while they waited and rested at the three spaces before or after doctors' examination. Basic demographic information and waiting and resting behavioral characteristics were compared between the two groups. The results indicated that the disabled children were more restricted in terms of space, facilities used, and social behaviors. However, regardless of disabilities, the children showed more positive distractions related to cognitive and social behaviors in areas where restorative design elements such as an aquarium, garden, or visual images were available. Based on the results, design implications were discussed to strengthen positive distraction behaviors in children with and without disabilities and to foster the restorative quality of the spaces for waiting and resting in the children's hospital.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.83-94
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• 2018

In many theoretical and empirical studies on the design issues of therapeutic healthcare facilities, spatial configuration that promotes users' wayfinding behavior, has been emphasized as a significant factor to mitigate stressful experiences and to enhance restorative quality in the healthcare environment. This is also applicable to the healthcare setting for children. However, not much evidence has been reported with regard to the relationship between spatial configuration and wayfinding behaviors in this specific setting. Moreover, healthcare facilities for children with physical disabilities need more attention to provide easy wayfinding due to various physical restrictions. The aim of this study is therefore, to unfold the relationship between spatial configuration and visual cognitive qualities of outpatient spaces in the selected children's rehabilitation hospitals in Seoul, by examining visual cognitive attributes such as visibility, accessibility, and intelligibility. In the first phase, the spatial layout of the hospitals was analyzed, with an emphasis on the major outpatient areas such as the entrance lobby, doctors' examination, and physical therapy zones. In the second phase, a space syntax tool was implemented to examine visual cognitive characteristics of the spatial configuration. The spatial configuration parameters measured were integration, integration core, visual isovist field continuity, correlation between integration and step depth, and the correlation between integration n and integration 3. As a result, the integration was higher in the hall type configuration. Circulation intersections acted mostly as integration cores for better visibility. Some areas showed the lack of continuity in the visual isovist fields overlap and irregular correlation between integration and step depth. The intelligibility was higher in the circulation area and social interaction spaces such as a cafe, reception waiting, and therapy waiting areas. Based on the analysis, design implication and possible future improvement were discussed to enhance wayfinding experiences in the hospitals for children with physical disabilities.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2001

This study is based on the survey conducted on handicaps in randomly chosen 6 welfare facilities and medical institutions located in Seoul and Kyonggi-do. This survey has been conducted from September 20 and October 23, 1999. The results of this study are as follows: (1) 49.7% of individuals have answered that their dental health are not well maintained. (2) The number of brushing activity per day varied according to different physical and mental condition of each individual. (p<0.05) (3) 56.7% of people have answered that they have no experience with scaling. (4) 58.9% of people have answered that they have experienced toothache and gum bleeding problem. (5) 64.4% of individual have answered that they would like to attend seminars on maintaining dental health. (p<0.05) (6) 65.1% of individual infrequently visit to dental facilities. (7) 41.6% of individual possess health care card. (8) 61.8% have answered that disabilities and dental health are closely related. (p<0.05)