A public healthscape framework for assessing geriatric long-term care public hospitals in South Korea by a Delphi expert consultation

Abstract

Geriatric long-term care public hospitals (GPHs), which provide medical welfare services for geriatric patients, should be considered differently from general hospitals. However, there have been few attempts to determine specific characteristics of GPHs, with most studies only discussing the characteristics of general hospital facilities. By considering the specific characteristics of GPHs, this study aims to suggest a theoretical background of public healthscape quality (PHQ) and provide a framework for assessing a GPH as measured from the perspective of the public healthscape. In addition, this approach offers more integrated factors to cover the concept of public service and elderly care than healthscape (a previous healthcare facility quality factor) and indoor environment quality (IEQ). To accomplish this research goal, we first carried out a literature review and focus group interviews, which resulted in six categories and twenty factors being suggested. Second, a framework with refined factors was suggested that involved Delphi-based expert consultation. As a result, six categories (community, safety, ambience, spatial accessibility, sociality, and service) with twenty-six factors were proposed. This construct includes not only IEQ and healthscape criteria but also newly proposed dimensions suitable for public healthcare for geriatric patients. To provide social equity, the results of the study support the social welfare of geriatric patients and form standards for a public medical facility.