An approach to exploring biophilic quality, soundscape quality, and psychological restoration in outpatient oncology polyclinics

Abstract

There is a need for restorative spaces, and biophilic features are recognized as influencing restoration. Mostly, biophilic environments are investigated in isolated features, such as visual connection with nature, mainly in virtual settings, and less is known about the soundscape of such environments. With the aim of investigating clinical environments for restoration, two hospital waiting areas in Oncology Polyclinics are assessed in terms of their biophilic quality, soundscape quality, and psychological restoration. In an alternative approach to the existing studies, this study adopts a between-subjects design with two phases: a field study followed by a laboratory study. In each study, survey-based assessments were employed to collect the data. The results reveal (1) how biophilic quality, assessed as a composite score and feature-based, differs between waiting areas in both field and laboratory, (2) how soundscape quality between waiting areas is evaluated in both field and laboratory in terms of its affective attributes and (3) the effect such qualities have on the psychological restoration of hospital users in terms of affect, mood, and restoration. The thesis is concluded by conducting a statistical analysis to explore the relationship between soundscape descriptors and psychological restoration indicators investigated in both field and laboratory settings. The data gathered informs future investigation research focused on providing healthcare restorative spaces through biophilic interventions in terms of both visual and audio environments. The study acts as a baseline empirical work for future research.