Article published In: Information Design Journal
Vol. 24:3 (2018) ► pp.236–253
How users find their way in hospitals
Contributions from a study on human information behaviour in wayfinding
Published online: 23 September 2019
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.24.3.03sil
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.24.3.03sil
Abstract
This paper presents a study about the information behaviour of users during spatial orientation in a hospital in Brazil. The theoretical basis of the study draws on wayfinding processes, spatial cognition and aspects of human information behaviour. Moreover, the case study reported employed the wib-methodology. The results point out the main behavioural strategies employed by users when finding their way in a hospital, and the information barriers related to the signage and the elements of the built environment. The results ratify the need for a human centred design approach so as to develop effective wayfinding design solutions.
Keywords: wayfinding, information behaviour, spatial cognition, hospital,
wib-methodology
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Spatial cognition in wayfinding
- 3.The design of wayfinding systems
- 4.Wayfinding in hospitals
- 5.The information behaviour in wayfinding in hospitals
- 6.Case study: Marcelino Champagnat Hospital in Brazil
- 6.1The Wayfinding information behaviour methodology (wib-methodology)
- 7.Results of the case study
- 7.1Summary of the results of phase 1 – planning
- 7.2Summary of the results of phase 2 – system study
- 7.3Phase 3 – main results of the users’ study
- 7.3.1Results of the interviews with Patients and their families/friends (Group 1)
- 7.3.2Results of the interviews with collaborators (Group 2)
- 7.3.3Summing up and comparing the results of the users’ study
- 8.Final considerations
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