VDM Verlag Through Children''s Eyes: Experience of a hospital environment

“Is it ok if I take my teeth out for the interview?” asked Josie matter-of-factly. “Yes” I said, “of course” trying to hide my surprise. I was surprised by the question, but more so by the matter-of-fact way that it had been asked. Josie was a young girl who had been in hospital for some weeks having survived a bad accident in which she had lost most of her front teeth. Her question unconsciously reflected the level of drama, trauma and life- changing event that children in hospital can be expected to absorb. Currently there is very little research with children and young people into their experience of hospitalisation and hospital environments. This book describes a participatory qualitative study completed in a modern paediatric hospital with children and young people aged 9-18 years. It discusses the nature and features of a supportive hospital environment from children’s and young people’s perspectives. This book is useful to health professionals, designers, planners and policy makers concerned with creating supportive healthcare environments for children and young people. About the Author Kate Bishop, PhD: Studied Environment, Behaviour and Society, in the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney. She is a social researcher and design consultant for children’s environments.