Designing For Dignity: Insights From Polish Palliative Care Providers on Hospice Interior Architecture

Abstract This study explores key spatial features that support a dignified death, drawing on the perspectives of healthcare professionals involved in the delivery of palliative care. It argues that integrating care providers insights into the design process of hospice environments ensures alignment with the core philosophy of palliative care, thereby promoting the well-being of patients, their families, and caregivers. A quantitative survey was conducted using a questionnaire developed specifically for this study, targeting employees and volunteers of hospices in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. The findings indicate that healthcare workers view inpatient hospices as the most appropriate settings for delivering end-of-life care. Respondents expressed a clear preference for interior designs that create a domestic, non-clinical environment, emphasized the critical importance of privacy, and suggested that single – or double-occupancy rooms are most conducive to patient comfort. In addition, the emotional and spiritual needs of patients were identified as central aspects that should be addressed through both care practices and spatial solutions. These results highlight the significant role of interior architecture in shaping environments that uphold dignity and provide a foundation for developing evidence-based design guideline for palliative care settings.