Database for A Systematic Review of Research Gaps in the Built Environment of Inpatient Healthcare Settings

This database contains data from 406 papers included in the systematic review A Systematic Review of Research Gaps in the Built Environment of Inpatient Healthcare Settings. The study that led to this database employed the evidence-gap map method to critically examine the scope, methodologies, and focus of research investigating the influence of the built environment on inpatient healthcare settings over a decade (2010–2021). It followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and analyzed 406 articles, primarily from North America and Europe.

The dataset includes details on the author(s), year, journal, title, DOI/URL, type of inpatient healthcare setting, research design, methods used, data collection instruments, and study aim. It also specifies per the study which health-related outcomes are adressed including person-centered care, shared decision-making, self-care support, patient participation, safety, timeliness, equity, efficiency, or effectiveness. Additionally, it records the main findings, study summary, country, region, study quality, addressed built environment features (ambient, architectural, interior, social-spatial, nature), and the populations involved (patients, visitors, staff).

The dataset has been used to identify research gaps. It also allows for further analysis of the entire set or specific subsections. Filters can be applied to focus on particular subsets based on inpatient settings, regions/countries, health-related outcomes, populations, or design features. For example, it allows filtering for studies on ICU departments, studies examining visitors' interaction with nature, or both. Additionally, the database can support ongoing analysis using the same search strings to track developments in this research domain.

We only ask that you acknowledge the use of this dataset (possibly alongside the accompanying paper) as a foundation for further research.