Authors
Goldman CM; Rider TR; Fisher GG; Loder AL; Schwatka NV; Van Dyke MV
Source
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2025 Jan; 26(1):105326
Abstract
Objectives: Well-designed, health-promoting physical work environments have the potential to reduce burnout and attrition for employees who work in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Unfortunately, there is limited existing guidance for LTC facility owners and operators related to specific health-promoting design strategies for LTC work environments. This narrative review aims to fill this knowledge gap. Methods: Information was synthesized from healthy-building certification standards for health care and non-health care buildings, LTC design guidelines, academic studies, and expert commentaries. The review was conducted in 3 phases to (1) identify specific space types and design characteristics generally considered to be health-supportive, (2) gather existing research on the identified strategies to critically analyze their supportive value, and (3) communicate the findings to a broad audience of stakeholders. Results: Five specific space types and 21 design characteristics were identified as both supportive of employee health and well-being, and relevant to LTC physical work environments. Conclusions: When health care organizations construct new facilities or renovate existing facilities, using these health-promoting design strategies should be considered. Benefits of health-promoting physical work environments include better employee mental and physical health, less burnout, and less turnover. Reducing burnout and increasing employee retention is essential to mitigate the ongoing staffing crisis in the LTC industry.
Keywords
Work environment; Burnout; Well-being; Mental health; Health care facilities; Health promotion; Design standards;
Author Keywords: Long-term care; built environment; employee well-being; burnout; restorative design; workplace design
Contact
Cedra M. Goldman, MPH, Colorado School of Public Health, 13001 East 17th Place, 3rd Floor, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
cedra.goldman@cuanschutz.edu
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
Identifying No.
Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U19-OH-011227
Source Name
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
Performing Organization
University of Colorado, Denver
