RESUMEN
The most difficult issue in writing a methods paper on Space Syntax is that it is not simply a method. It is a theory on which a methodology has been built. In the 40 years since introduction, both its theory and its methods have advanced, including the creation and development of computerized software. Essentially Space Syntax investigates layouts, seen in plan drawings; but this is done from mature theoretical arguments about function in those spaces. While theories of society were at the genesis of Space Syntax, it has branched into cognition, transportation, economics, and so on, and has been used to investigate buildings, cities, and regions. In the last decade or so, Space Syntax has been used in different ways to investigate healthcare facilities. This article concentrates on explaining the analytical techniques of Space Syntax. The theoretical underpinnings are minimally described-just enough for the reader to understand the basis of the methods. All examples provided are based on the same hypothetical hospital floor layout for ease of comprehension and comparison. Also, all Space Syntax concepts are italicized for identification. Since the theoretical aspects are not treated in detail, the reader is advised to pay particular attention to the citations for advanced comprehension. This cannot be overemphasized.
Asunto(s)
Arquitectura y Construcción de Instituciones de Salud/métodos , Análisis Espacial , Accesibilidad Arquitectónica , Arquitectura/métodos , Instituciones de Salud/normas , HumanosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To assess the role of technetium-99m methoxy diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) single photon emission tomography (SPECT) imaging for the detection of osseous invasion in craniofacial malignancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in 45 subjects using Tc-99m MDP (740 MBq). Out of 45 subjects, 30 were patients had different craniofacial malignancies, and 15 subjects who did not have any malignancy served as controls. Planar imaging was performed. Anterior, lateral and oblique lateral views of the skull were obtained. SPECT imaging was done taking 64 views of the skull in a 360 ° circular path, each 40 s with 128 × 128 matrices. Scans were visually interpreted using a score of 0, 1, and 2, representing a lesion as definitely absent, doubtful, and definitely present, respectively. Planar scans were compared with the SPECT images. RESULTS: Bone SPECT detected more lesions as compared to planar bone scan and plain radiographs. SPECT was found to be superior to planar imaging and radiographs in the detection and efficient demonstration of the extent of osseous invasion of craniofacial cancer. Sensitivity was 100% for SPECT and 83.33% for planar bone scan. CONCLUSION: SPECT imaging of the skull is a very beneficial complementary form of investigation in patients with craniofacial malignancies for the assessment of osseous invasion, particularly in tumors likely to invade the skull base.
Asunto(s)
Huesos Faciales/diagnóstico por imagen , Huesos Faciales/patología , Neoplasias Craneales/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Craneales/patología , Medronato de Tecnecio Tc 99m , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión de Fotón Único/métodos , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Invasividad Neoplásica , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XRESUMEN
Space Syntax is a theory and method that has been developing for the last 40 years. Originally conceived as a theory of "society and space," it has expanded to other areas. An important aspect of this is technical; it allows the quantification of layouts, and unit spaces within a layout, so that the environment itself can produce independent variables in quantitative research. Increasingly, it is being used to study healthcare facilities. Space Syntax has thereby become relevant to healthcare facilities researchers and designers. This paper attempts to explain Space Syntax to a new audience of healthcare designers, administrators, and researchers; it provides a literature review on the use of Space Syntax in healthcare facility research and suggests some possibilities for future application.
Asunto(s)
Arquitectura y Construcción de Hospitales , Investigación , Atención a la Salud , Instituciones de Salud , HumanosRESUMEN
As evidence-based design (EBD) emerges as a model of design practice, considerable attention has been given to its research component. However, this overshadows another essential component of EBD-the change agent, namely the designer. EBD introduced a new skill set to the practitioner: the ability to interact with scientific evidence. Industry sources suggest adoption of the EBD approach across a large number of design firms. How comfortable are these designers in integrating research with design decision making? Optimizing the interaction between the primary change agent (the designer) and the evidence is crucial to producing the desired outcomes. Preliminary to examining this question, an architectural design studio was used as a surrogate environment to examine how designers interact with evidence. Twelve students enrolled in a healthcare EBD studio during the spring of 2009. A three-phase didactic structure was adopted: knowing a hospital, knowing the evidence, and designing with knowledge and evidence. Products of the studio and questionnaire responses from the students were used as the data for analysis. The data suggest that optimization of the research-design relationship warrants consideration in four domains: (1) a knowledge structure that is easy to comprehend; (2) phase-complemented representation of evidence; (3) access to context and precedence information; and (4) a designer-friendly vocabulary.