Os efeitos da flexibilidade ambiental na postura do usuário relativa ao simbolismo dos espaços sociais de tratamento do câncer

Abstract

This research study approaches specialized cancer treatment hospitals for investigation about the influence of flexibility of social environments on peoples´ perspective about hospital spaces. The research may provide support to hospital architectural design in the realm of planning for better conditions of users experience. The culture inside hospitals is based on both technicalfunctional and symbolic factors. That characterizes hospital spaces where management supports certain psychological atmosphere despite potential relationships of such atmosphere with peoples views of their experience. Therefore, management of spaces, routines and operations, on one side, and peoples behavior, on the other, both shape the dimensions of scenarios and experiences in hospital environment. This study included research of five waiting-rooms in high Complexity Oncology Centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Field work comprised of the following methodology: direct observations in waiting-rooms, elaboration and application of survey questionnaires about conditions for waiting activities in such places and development of simulation testing about flexibilization of furniture arrangement in waiting-rooms. Usersacknowledged and reflected upon problems related to the layout of furniture that incompatible with local activities and the lack of flexibility for use of such environments. As results, the new proposed furniture layout enhanced users´ autonomy for choices in use of distinct environments for specific activities and that changed peoples behavior. In case waiting-rooms provide conditions for flexibility of use that are compatible with peoples expectations, the environmental experience may lead to a new social image of hospital spaces.