Communication Networks in Healthcare: Physical and Digital Spaces
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Affording new insights into the relationship of social networks, space and care process provided by NHS services: A qualitative and quantitative pilot study in 2 inpatient department at UCLH to investigate how hospital layouts influence staff and patient face-to-face communication and whether technology can overcome problems with communication that cannot be overcome with design. Space Syntax, Social Network Analysis, direct observation of activities, interviews, online questionnaires and data on quality of care to be used for multi-layered analysis.
IRAS ID
164964
Contact name
Rosica Pachilova
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2014/08/51, UCL Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Space Syntax research argues that communication patterns are influenced by the spatial configuration of buildings. However, most studies explore face-to-face interaction and ignore the influence of information technology on the way people communicate. Moreover, none of these studies go beyond the physical boundaries of buildings. On the other hand, a thorough research within the literature on hospital buildings reveals that a great part of the studies focus on non-configurational, environmental measures. A small part of the studies explores the relationship between the spatial configuration of the building and their occupants using Space Syntax as a methodology. However, only few contributions explore how physical space influences interaction patterns amongst caregivers and between staff and patients. In addition, research on digital communication in health buildings does not consider physical space.
This research investigates how the layout of hospital buildings affects the way caregivers and patients communicate, socialise, build networks and gain knowledge, and how these interactions influence provision of care. As part of a pilot study, 2 inpatient wards at UCLH (University College London Hospital) will be investigated. After the pilot, methodology will be refined, research design will be finalised and further departments and/or hospital buildings will be studied.
Qualitative as well as quantitative research methods will be used in the study. 1) Space syntax will be applied to analyse the layout of selected case studies. A new configurationally based method to model virtual space will be developed and applied providing a way of making spatial configuration topologically dynamic and resulting in hybrid architectural topologies. 2) Social network analysis will be used to study the network of relations of the participants. Both patients and caregivers will be recruited to participare in the study. Representatives from each category will be chosen to test and develop novel methodologies of studying networks across scales. The clinician’s social network will be analysed centred on their profession while the patient’s network centred on their illness. Developing adequate methods to analyse these boundary-spanning networks will be an important part of the study. 3) Direct observation of care processes and activities will be carried out to study behaviour and space usage 4) Structured interviews with selected caregivers will be conducted to understand organisational structures and nature of care processes. 5) Data on patient experience, patient safety and clinical outcomes will be used for cross evaluation analysis.The objectives of the study are: 1) to compare the current spatial and digital communication patterns amongst caregivers, and between staff and patients in hospitals 2) to investigate how the layout of hospital buildings and staff and patient communication patterns influence quality of care. 3) to study how healthcare has been delivered spatially and with the deployment of information and communication technologies.
The study will contribute with several innovations: 1) Developing a method for studying networks across scales, bringing social and spatial network analysis together; 2) Creating a taxonomy of relationships between virtual and physical space and a new configurationally based method to model virtual space; 3) Affording new insights into the relationships of social networks, space and care process provided by NHS services and UCLH in particular with the aim to improve care.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0043
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion