Improving Student Commitment to Healthcare-Related Design Practice by Improving the Studio Learning Experience

Area of Science:

• Interior Design Education
• Healthcare Design
• Professional Development

Background:

• The interior design field's relevance in healthcare is often underestimated by students.
• Design education must bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice.
• Studio experiences are pivotal in shaping students' career aspirations and commitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a specialized healthcare design studio on students' short-term career goals.
• To measure changes in healthcare-related certification and employment rates post-graduation.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of two undergraduate interior design capstone cohorts.
• One cohort followed the existing curriculum; the second followed a revised curriculum focused on healthcare design practice.
• Post-graduation outcomes (certification and employment) were tracked for both groups.

Main Results:

• The revised curriculum cohort showed a 30% increase in Evidence-based Design Accreditation and Certification exam pass rates.
• A 40% increase in healthcare-related internships and employment was observed in the revised curriculum cohort.
• Outcomes were measured at three months post-graduation.

Conclusions:

• The revised healthcare design curriculum effectively enhanced students' professional preparedness and career focus.
• This educational approach shows promise for improving interior design graduates' readiness for healthcare environments.
• The study highlights the importance of integrating professional attitudes and competencies in design education.