scholarly journals Hospital outdoor spaces: Therapeutic benefits and design considerations

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejana Neducin ◽  
Milena Krkljes ◽  
Nadja Kurtovic-Folic
Keyword(s):  
Healing Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Hospital Design ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
Set Up

The awareness of positive influences of outdoor environment on patients' healing process has long been present in hospital architecture. Despite the fact that economic factors had the greatest impact on hospital design during the past century, which caused a neglect of possible restorative benefits of hospital surroundings, recently developed and integrated healthcare systems are more focused on patients' needs regarding the effects of treatments and services on their satisfaction. With the aim to reduce costs of medical therapies without sacrificing their quality, this new approach resulted in a substantial shift in planning and designing of both indoor and outdoor hospital spaces. This paper presents an analysis of various aspects that need to be taken into account while planning of hospital outdoor spaces. It proposes a list of design considerations that may contribute to achieving a healing environment with positive effects on patients' well-being and outcomes of their medical treatments, while simultaneously raising the overall hospital's efficiency. Having in mind specific organizational structure and functional flows that an institution of this type comprises, these considerations are determined, preconditioned and set up to meet strictly defined norms, regulations and criteria. The purpose of this research is to examine which elements and features and to what extent may assist in generating a supportive, inviting, secure and non-threatening atmosphere of the outdoor hospital surroundings that discharges negative reminiscences, experiences or assumptions on how unpleasant the stay in a hospital may be.

scholarly journals Restructuring the Out Door Spaces of Selected Public Buildings to Enhance User Satisfaction in Abuja

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Public Buildings ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Outdoor Spaces

The use of outdoor (open) spaces in public buildings is vast and has significant roles ranging from individual (users) perception of the development of urban centers and cities to the satisfaction of the various functions they perform. However, little research is available on the use of the outdoor spaces in these Public buildings environment and the activities that take place thereof. This study investigates the factors that take users of public buildings to the outdoor environment and the physical factors that constitute their uses within the spaces. Using both qualitative and quantitative research approach, the paper examined the importance of restructuring the outdoor spaces for quality of the surrounding of the built environment. The study adopts a purposive sampling where participants were selected based on the outdoor use only. A total of seventy (75) questionnaires were administered to the various users of public buildings within specific open spaces. Only seventy (70) representing (93.33%) of the total population were returned and subjected to data analysis using the relevant descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, Mean Weighted Score (MWS) and Relatively Important Index (R.I.I) were used to rank features obtained. The study concludes that proper restructuring of landscape elements is necessary within public buildings, in order to provide human comfort, well-being and improved productivity. It was recommended that revitalizing the environmental features of these public building necessitates the insufficiency of outdoor features in government own buildings. Therefore, the user’s satisfaction of this outdoor (open) space in public buildings should be key consideration and emphasized on right from planning and design stages to it implementation.

scholarly journals The Attitudes of Therapists and Physicians on the Use of Sex Robots in Sexual Therapy: Online Survey and Interview Study

10.2196/13853 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. e13853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Eichenberg ◽  
Marwa Khamis ◽  
Lisa Hübner
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Therapeutic Use ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Sex Robots ◽  
Sexual Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

Background Various types of robots have already been successfully used in medical care, and the use of new technologies is also playing an increasing role in the area of sexuality. Sex robots are marketed as advanced sex toys and sex dolls with artificial intelligence. Only a few considerations about the therapeutic use of sex robots in sexual therapy are debated in expert discussions. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a first exploratory survey on the attitudes of sex therapists and physicians toward the therapeutic benefits of sex robots. Methods This study comprised a quantitative online survey and a qualitative interview study. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to survey the general attitudes of sex therapists and physicians regarding the benefits of sex robots in therapy. The qualitative study was designed to gain in-depth insight into the participants’ beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, semistructured interviews were conducted. The quantitative data were evaluated by statistical analysis, and the interviews were transcribed and analyzed by using a grounded theory approach. Results A total of 72 sex therapists and physicians completed our self-constructed questionnaire (response rate 15%, 72/480). Only a few respondents (11%, 8/72) said that the use of sex robots was not conceivable for them, and almost half of all therapists and physicians could imagine recommending sex robots in therapy (45%, 33/72). The attitude toward sex robots as a therapeutic tool was very heterogeneous, with gender (P=.006), age (P=.03), and occupational differences (P=.05); female therapists, older therapists, and psychologists (in contrast to physicians) were more critical toward the therapeutic use of sex robots. The analysis of the 5 interviews identified 3 high-level core themes that were representative of the participants’ responses: (1) the importance of the personal definition of sex robots for the assessment of their therapeutic benefits, (2) therapeutic benefits and dangers of sex robots, and (3) considerations on the quality of human-robot sexuality. Initial insights into the possible therapeutic use of sex robots in different disorders (eg, sexual dysfunction or pedophilia) and situations were gained from the perspective of sex therapists. Conclusions The results of this study provide a first overview of the potential therapeutic use of sex robots. Moral, ethical, and treatment-related issues in this context are still unresolved and need to be further researched. We suggest integrating the topic into the training of sex therapists to form opinions beyond media images and to show therapy possibilities. Scientists engaged in sexual research should be involved in the development of sex robots to design robots with positive effects on sexual education, sexual therapy, sexual counseling, and sexual well-being for interested groups.

scholarly journals The Attitudes of Therapists and Physicians on the Use of Sex Robots in Sexual Therapy: Online Survey and Interview Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Eichenberg ◽  
Marwa Khamis ◽  
Lisa Hübner
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Therapeutic Use ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Sex Robots ◽  
Sexual Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

BACKGROUND Various types of robots have already been successfully used in medical care, and the use of new technologies is also playing an increasing role in the area of sexuality. Sex robots are marketed as advanced sex toys and sex dolls with artificial intelligence. Only a few considerations about the therapeutic use of sex robots in sexual therapy are debated in expert discussions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to conduct a first explorative survey on the attitudes of sex therapists and physicians toward the therapeutic benefits of sex robots. METHODS This study comprised a quantitative online survey and a qualitative interview study. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to survey the general attitudes of sex therapists and physicians regarding the benefits of sex robots in therapy. The qualitative study was designed to gain in-depth insight into the participants’ beliefs and attitudes. Therefore, semistructured interviews were conducted. The quantitative data were evaluated by statistical analysis, and the interviews were transcribed and analyzed by using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS A total of 72 sex therapists and physicians completed our self-constructed questionnaire (response rate 15%, 72/480). Only a few respondents (11%, 8/72) said that the use of sex robots was not conceivable for them, and almost half of all therapists and physicians could imagine recommending sex robots in therapy (45%, 33/72). The attitude toward sex robots as a therapeutic tool was very heterogeneous, with gender (P=.006), age (P=.03), and occupational differences (P=.05); female therapists, older therapists, and psychologists (in contrast to physicians) were more critical toward the therapeutic use of sex robots. The analysis of the 5 interviews identified 3 high-level core themes that were representative of the participants’ responses: (1) the importance of the personal definition of sex robots for the assessment of their therapeutic benefits, (2) therapeutic benefits and dangers of sex robots, and (3) considerations on the quality of human-robot sexuality. Initial insights into the possible therapeutic use of sex robots in different disorders (eg, sexual dysfunction or pedophilia) and situations were gained from the perspective of sex therapists. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study provide a first overview of the potential therapeutic use of sex robots. Moral, ethical, and treatment-related issues in this context are still unresolved and need to be further researched. We suggest integrating the topic into the training of sex therapists to form opinions beyond media images and to show therapy possibilities. Scientists engaged in sexual research should be involved in the development of sex robots to design robots with positive effects on sexual education, sexual therapy, sexual counseling, and sexual well-being for interested groups.

scholarly journals Evaluation of hospital outdoor spaces through users’ participation analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84
Author(s):  
Zoran Djukanovic ◽  
Jelena Maric ◽  
Francesca Giofrè
Keyword(s):  
Healing Process ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Urban Theory ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Military Medical Academy ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
Four Books ◽  
University Of Rome

Hospital outdoor spaces (HOS) play an important part of the Healthcare facilities, with a particular impact on the healing process, which is possible to evaluate by their cultural, social, ecological and economic characteristics and values (Ulrich 1984, 2001, Burnett, 1997; Marcus and Barnes, 1999). However, this paper argues that research studies refer to HOS only as residual spaces to support medical activities. Urban theory, policy and scientific research is focusing on the issue of the hospital evaluation, but mainly on interior and spatial characteristics, rather than a hospital outdoor environment. No more than 1000 papers have been published on this topic. This paper discusses quality and significance of HOS in Belgrade, while identifying the problems and potentials of HOS, from the user perspective. The presented paper is established as the part of the larger research done in collaboration of the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade and Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Architecture, which will be presented in a series of four books. The first book (Health Spaces: Hospital outdoor environment) is already published and it offers a general ?top-down? interdisciplinary overview of the topic of HOS, given by experts - architects, urban planners and designers. Particularly, this paper is prepared as a foundation for the second book, with the aim to offer a ?bottom-up? overview on the topic of HOS given by hospital ?community? (doctors, patients, staff, visitors, etc.). Furthermore, this research was also conducted as a part of an academic course: ?Participative Urban Design?, with the students at the master level of studies. The methodological framework used in this paper consists of extensive and fundamental literature review. In the frame of participative and collaborative approach, all analyses were conducted in the form of quality assessment, from the perspective of stakeholders, aforementioned as a hospital community. The survey was conducted using specific two-part questionnaire, carefully established within the academic course, as a main tool for reaching the database. Focusing on the case of Belgrade, four major hospitals were chosen as case studies: Clinical center of Serbia, Military Medical Academy, and both Clinical Hospital Centers: ?Bezanijska kosa? and ?Zvezdara?. The group of 12 students conducted the survey over a period of four weeks, with more than 120 participants from each hospital, gathering both specific and general results. Overall, this paper presents the first assessment of HOS of this kind ever done in Serbia. The results of the research will contribute to improving hospital environment and could present the first step on the path to integrate outdoor spaces into hospital life.

Yoga Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 159-178
Author(s):  
Eileen M. Lafer ◽  
Margaret McCuiston ◽  
Ann Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Physiological State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Physiological And Biochemical

This chapter reviews the evidence supporting the efficacy of yoga therapy for wellness, and as an adjunct to standard care for a number of chronic conditions. The underlying mechanisms are explored, including the physiological and biochemical changes that have been observed in yoga practitioners. Yoga has been found to activate the relaxation response—a physiological state which reduces stress on bodily systems. Yoga leads to changes in gene expression, including decreases in the expression of genes involved in stress and inflammation. The positive effects of yoga therapy are interpreted through the lens of the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, which cultivates eudaimonic well-being and salutogenesis. Researchers attribute a wide range of yoga's therapeutic benefits largely to its whole-person approach to well-being.

Healing by design: The influence of an artistic design on the well being of cancer patients—A 10 years follow up

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 18615-18615
Author(s):  
H. Samonigg ◽  
E. Andritsch ◽  
G. Dietmaier ◽  
T. Bauernhofer ◽  
H. Andritsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

18615 Background: The style of the surrounding in which cancer patients, who experience physical as well as high psychological distress are treated, can help them to acquire a sense of security, to reduce their anxiety and depression. Inspired by this model the famous artist F. Hundertwasser created the redesign of the oncological ward with the aim to generate an atmosphere of security by utilizing bright, warm and vivid colours, light and plants. The aim of this study was to investigate in a prospective manner whether the artistic redesign have an influence on the welfare of cancer patients using standardized questionnaires pre and immediately post reconstruction and in a follow up 10 years later. Methods: A total of 261 patients were interviewed (93 before the redesign, 81 immediately and 87 ten years after redesign) to assess the influence of depression (Zerssen Depression Scale, PD-S) quality of life (Spitzer Index)and perceptions of the ward design (semi-structured interview) on wellbeing (Zerrsen Mood Scale, Bf-S). Results: A factor analysis of the semi-structured interview yielded four factors assessed with a MANOVA showing that patients interviewed after redesign reported more positive effects of the ward design (F2;227 = 484.274; p < 0.001). In addition, they were more content with treatment and medical care (F2;227 = 20.103; p < 0.001), more positive in their emotions and thoughts regarding illness (F2;227 = 8.600; p = 0.003) and placed greater importance on the fixtures (F2;227 = 6.067; p = 0.003) than the patients interviewed before the redesign. In a regression analysis depression, the “impact of ward design”, quality of life, gender, “emotions and thoughts regarding illness”, age and education predicted wellbeing with an “R” of 0.0469 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results provide important aspects for the discussion if the physical surroundings in which cancer patients are treated serve as a potentially positive factor in the “healing process”. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Effects and mechanisms of medicinal plants on healing scars: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 07 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine MT Sherwin ◽  
Saeid Heidari-Soureshjani
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Healing Time ◽  
Hypertrophic Scars ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Review Articles

Background: Scars can be a cosmetic disfigurement and can tremendously impact psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Some medicinal plants exert anti-scar properties via various mechanisms of action, many of which have not been clearly defined. Objective: This study will evaluate the effects of these medicinal plants with anti-scar properties and review the known underlying mechanisms related to the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars. Methods: The keywords used in the literature search included ((Wound healing OR Re-epithelialization OR Regeneration)) AND ((Medicinal plants OR Phyto* OR herb)) AND ((Cytokines OR Collagen OR Fibroblasts)). Publications indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and PubMed databases were included in the review. Articles with no accessible full texts, non-English language articles, review articles, studies with non-positive effects, and studies that were not related to the study’s aim were excluded from the study. The agreement for exclusion required all authors to concur. Finally, after reviewing all available literature, 61 articles were included in this systematic review. Results: Currently available evidence shows that medicinal plants and their derivatives seem to have properties that can prevent hypertrophic scars. This is achieved by accelerating the scar healing process, reducing inflammatory cytokines, suppressing proliferation, and inducing apoptosis in scar fibroblasts by regulating several signaling pathways. Additionally, they can reduce collagen deposition and have antimicrobial effects at the wound site. Conclusion: Topical use of medicinal plants as complementary medicine with varying mechanisms of action can reduce scar formation. They exert these properties mainly due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, these mechanisms reduce the healing time of the wound and thus prevent the formation of hypertrophic scars. Medicinal plants can be used safely and efficiently when applied topically to improve or prevent hypertrophic scars.

Conflict Avoidance in Old Age

GeroPsych ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Oberhauser ◽  
Andreas B. Neubauer ◽  
Eva-Marie Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Conflict Avoidance ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Set Up

Abstract. Conflict avoidance increases across the adult lifespan. This cross-sectional study looks at conflict avoidance as part of a mechanism to regulate belongingness needs ( Sheldon, 2011 ). We assumed that older adults perceive more threats to their belongingness when they contemplate their future, and that they preventively react with avoidance coping. We set up a model predicting conflict avoidance that included perceptions of future nonbelonging, termed anticipated loneliness, and other predictors including sociodemographics, indicators of subjective well-being and perceived social support (N = 331, aged 40–87). Anticipated loneliness predicted conflict avoidance above all other predictors and partially mediated the age-association of conflict avoidance. Results suggest that belongingness regulation accounts may deepen our understanding of conflict avoidance in the second half of life.

Hormonal contraception as a method of social adaptation of women in modern society

GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Tatyana Yu Pestrikova ◽  
Elena A Yurasova ◽  
Igor V Yurasov ◽  
Tamara D Kovaleva
Keyword(s):  
Ethinyl Estradiol ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Adaptation ◽  
Female Employment ◽  
Hormonal Contraceptives ◽  
Aim Analysis ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Chlormadinone Acetate

Relevance. Currently, women make up more than 40% of the global workforce and more than half of students studying at universities around the world. Women's education, especially at a high level, tends to increase female employment. The mismatch of the style and rhythm of modern life with a genetically determined and working millennium reproductive program requires the choice of a specific approach to social adaptation. Aim. Analysis of literary sources on the use of hormonal contraception as a method of social adaptation. Materials and methods. To write this review, domestic and foreign publications were searched in Russian and international search systems (PubMed, eLibrary, etc.) for the last 2-10 years. The review included articles from peer-reviewed literature. Results. The review describes the features of modern hormonal contraceptives. Their non-contraceptive effects are presented. The individual non-contraceptive effects of a combined oral contraceptive containing 30 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of chlormadinone acetate were determined. It has been established that the use of this contraceptive helps to improve the well-being and mood of patients, which allows you to actively use this contraceptive in routine clinical practice with premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, without the use of analgesics. Conclusions. The numerous positive effects of ethinyl estradiol and chlormadinone acetate allow the use of the drug as a means to increase social adaptation, and, consequently, improve the quality of life.

DRUG REGULATORY PROCEDURES IN TANZANIA: A GLIMPSE

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Achin Jain ◽  
M P Venkatesh M P ◽  
Pramod T.M. Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Well Being ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Herbal Drugs ◽  
Drug Products ◽  
Set Up

In Tanzania, Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), is a regulatory body responsible for controlling the quality,safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, herbal drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. The Authority has been ensuringsafety, efficacy and quality of medicines by quality control tests; in addition to other quality assessment mechanisms.The guidelines laid by TFDA have also emanated from commitment to democracy and gives strong emphasis to thefulfilment of the needs of the less privileged rural population.Tanzania is an emerging market; the pharmaceutical market is valued at over US$250 million, and is growing at anannual rate of around 16.5% and is expected to reach approximately US$550 billion in 2020. Currently, the market ishighly dependent on imports, which account for around 75% of the total pharmaceutical market.The procedures and approval requirements of new drugs, variations, import, export and disposal have been set up bythe TFDA, which help in maintaining quality of the drug products that are imported as well being produced locally 

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