From Evidence to Practice: Implementing Accessible Art in Healthcare Facilities

The integration of art into healthcare facility design has been widely recognised as a best practice for enhancing patient experiences and improving health outcomes. Evidence-based design aims to identify the most effective art types and themes for various healthcare scenarios. However, the current body of research on healthcare art is still evolving, with limited data available for populations with special needs. This study explores potential opportunities for enhancing built environment art accessibility for people with blindness or low vision (PBLV) in healthcare facilities. The research methodology consists of two steps: 1) A literature review that establishes a foundation for understanding healthcare art and accessible art adaptations for PBLV in the context of galleries and museums; 2) Case studies of three art programmes in London healthcare trusts, which included interview-surveys with senior professionals working on art implementation in healthcare spaces. The interviews and case studies were conducted through the lens of knowledge on accessible art for museums and galleries. The results of the literature review provided valuable insights into the concept of healthcare art and the variety of accessible art forms for PBLV in museums and galleries. This laid the groundwork for exploring which of these solutions can be applied in healthcare facility contexts. The interviews and case studies revealed several practical approaches that can assist healthcare providers and guide policymakers in creating more accessible healthcare art programmes. In conclusion, this article identifies potential opportunities for improving the accessibility of built environment arts for PBLV in healthcare settings, contributing to the ongoing effort to create more inclusive and engaging healthcare environments.