This article investigates the staff outcomes that are influenced by physical environment features in a healthcare facility. Over the past few decades, research on the physical environment and its effects on hospital staff has advanced steadily. Focusing on the physical environment has become a research area with great potential because it is crucial to provide a favorable work environment for health professionals, which directly impacts the quality of care. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify research articles from two scientific databases and a healthcare journal. Articles that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria for relevant articles were included in this review. Relevant data were derived from the final shortlisted articles. The features identified in the articles were divided into three dimensions of the physical environment. The results demonstrate different outcomes for staff. This review shows the need to develop a comprehensive study involving the most important features of the three dimensions of the physical setting and its effects on staff. This study contributes invaluable insights for hospital administrators, architects, and designers by informing them about the critical factors shaping the healthcare workplace environment.

Purpose To explore how principles of social justice and equity are integrated into research concerning accessibility to public buildings for individuals with mobility disabilities. Methods Utilising a scoping review methodology to assess literature based on the criteria set by the Joanna Briggs Institute, seven databases were screened. Studies were selected using the framework: “persons with mobility disabilities” AND “accessibility” AND “public buildings”. A theoretical framework helped to extract codes and develop themes through an inductive-deductive analysis method. The results are presented descriptively. Results The examination of 84 studies uncovered a complex interplay between agencies, systemic challenges, discriminatory practices, and societal attitudes perpetuating marginalisation of individuals with mobility disabilities in their access to public buildings. The recommendations emphasize importance of practical measures, research imperatives, and policy developments to promote inclusivity. We present a ‘Ten-step approach’ to integrate social justice and equity into research on accessibility in public buildings for people with mobility disabilities. Conclusion Integrating diversity, active participation, and inclusive methodologies are essential to address systemic issues, discriminatory practices, and societal attitudes that hinder accessibility and inclusion. Collaborations with diverse stakeholders are crucial for policy changes, resource allocation, and advancing social justice and equity in accessibility research and practice.

This research examines the impact of government policy initiatives, community engagement programs, and age-friendly urban design policies on the built environment, with a specific focus on the walkability of older adults. The walkability of older adults in the built environment is essential because it promotes physical activity, social connectedness, and independence, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life and supporting healthy aging. This study employs a quantitative approach and cross-sectional design with convenience sampling in Udupi district, one of the urbanizing districts in India. The sample includes 333 older adults from diverse sociodemographic backgrounds who actively use the built environment. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that community engagement programs are the strongest enabler of safety and security perceptions related to walkability. Safety and security positively correlate with increased physical activity level, increased socialization level, and improved quality of life in older adults. Security also mediates the relationship between community engagement programs and all three outcomes associated with walkability. It highlights priority urban design features such as strategic lighting, sheltered walkways, traffic calming measures, barrier-free access, rest areas, and inclusive design elements as critical components of adaptive urban spaces that promote safety, accessibility, and social inclusion for older adults.

Background This study investigates the mediating role of comfort (CMT), convenience (CNV), and aesthetics (AST) in the relationship between the enablers of an age-friendly built environment for walkability and outcomes such as increased physical activity level (IPL), increased socialization (ISL), and improved quality of life (IQL) in older adults. The research emphasizes the importance of creating age-friendly environments to support the well-being and quality of life of older adults, with implications for urban planners and policymakers to promote sustainable and inclusive design. Methods The research follows a positivist paradigm using a quantitative approach and survey strategy with a cross-sectional design. A sample of 333 older adults was selected using the convenience sampling technique, and data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. Results Findings from hypothesis testing indicate that, among the enablers, age-friendly urban design policies are the most significant construct, positively impacting all three mediating variables. Aesthetics was found to have a significant positive effect on increased physical activity level and increased socialization, while comfort and convenience significantly influenced increased physical activity level and improved quality of life, respectively. Conclusion These results suggest implications for urban planners and policymakers to enhance the contribution of built environment for walkability toward increased physical activity level, increased socialization, and improved quality of life for older adults. The research offers valuable insights for academics and practitioners, emphasizing the importance of sustainable design while ensuring inclusivity to promote the well-being and quality of life of older adults.

The exponential growth of the global population and rising life expectancy have placed increasing pressure on healthcare systems to deliver efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective services. In India, private hospitals play a crucial role in meeting these demands. However, they are increasingly challenged by high employee attrition rates, often linked to dissatisfaction with the physical work environment. Improving staff satisfaction has therefore become essential for enhancing organizational performance and retaining skilled personnel. This study aims to assess the impact of the physical environment on employee satisfaction in private Indian hospitals. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted. The qualitative phase involved a review of secondary data to conceptualize the research framework and identify key variables related to architectural, interior, and ambient design features. The quantitative phase involved survey-based data collection from employees across various private hospitals. For analysis, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explore relationships between variables. The results reveal statistically significant relationships between physical-environment features—specifically architectural layout, interior design elements, and ambient conditions—and employees’ attitudes. These attitudes were found to significantly influence overall workplace satisfaction. Furthermore, this study confirmed a strong link between the physical environment and employee satisfaction. These findings offer actionable insights for hospital administrators to improve the design of workspaces. Enhancing physical environments can elevate employee satisfaction, reduce attrition, and ultimately contribute to improved hospital performance. By empirically establishing the link between physical-environment features and staff satisfaction, this study provides a foundation for evidence-based design strategies in healthcare settings.

Purpose To explore how principles of social justice and equity are integrated into research concerning accessibility to public buildings for individuals with mobility disabilities. Methods Utilising a scoping review methodology to assess literature based on the criteria set by the Joanna Briggs Institute, seven databases were screened. Studies were selected using the framework: “persons with mobility disabilities” AND “accessibility” AND “public buildings”. A theoretical framework helped to extract codes and develop themes through an inductive-deductive analysis method. The results are presented descriptively. Results The examination of 84 studies uncovered a complex interplay between agencies, systemic challenges, discriminatory practices, and societal attitudes perpetuating marginalisation of individuals with mobility disabilities in their access to public buildings. The recommendations emphasize importance of practical measures, research imperatives, and policy developments to promote inclusivity. We present a ‘Ten-step approach’ to integrate social justice and equity into research on accessibility in public buildings for people with mobility disabilities. Conclusion Integrating diversity, active participation, and inclusive methodologies are essential to address systemic issues, discriminatory practices, and societal attitudes that hinder accessibility and inclusion. Collaborations with diverse stakeholders are crucial for policy changes, resource allocation, and advancing social justice and equity in accessibility research and practice.