Research Services
RAD Consultants’ design and research consulting team helps healthcare administrators, healthcare staff, architects and designers create healthy and positive patient-centered environments supported by relevant research evidence. We generate new ways of thinking about design solutions and provide the necessary data to support those solutions. Described below are the types of services we implement during project development.
Our professionals conduct literature reviews to obtain research articles on specific topics. An analysis of relevant articles is provided based on their design guideline implications and ability to be utilized by the design team for their projects.
We utilize the most recent research to define the architectural program for healthcare projects. Research tools such as questionnaires, behavior mapping and other scientific inquiry may be used to answer particular questions or provide a larger context for programming to meet project needs. Collaboration with the healthcare facility team and design consultants is encouraged and creates the potential for co-presentation or co-authorship of the results or findings in design and medical journals.
Our team conducts an in-depth study during the schematic design phase to incorporate the most current research developments related to the project’s needs. This consists of the following components:
- Literature review - Identify relevant peer review articles focused on the goals of the healthcare facility.
- Detailed analysis - Identify and integrate evidence into the design process based on literature reviews.
- Schematic or Diagrammatic Plan - Provide a “road map” to integrate the research into the spatial design.
- Design Process - Focus on important issues affecting healthcare facilities: infection control, role of healing environments and positive distraction in patient outcomes, and developments in healthcare facilities design theory.
Through post-occupancy evaluation or other inquiry, independent analyses of the project outcomes are conducted based on programmatic goals. Independent evaluation enhances the validity of design outcomes. This process provides an independent measure of the results.
Our team coordinates research studies for healthcare systems and architecture/design firms. We are experienced researchers who share a strong passion for contributing to the body of knowledge for healthcare design research.
As research coordinators, we can assist with conceptualizing, developing and implementing a research study that focuses on specific questions and advance a research agenda for firms committed to contributing to the knowledge base.