An audit of the content and quality in briefs for Swedish healthcare spaces

Journal article, 2009

Purpose: Initial briefs (programs) were examined in order to obtain an overview of current practice in documenting the briefing process for new health care buildings in Sweden. Methodology: An audit instrument was developed and used to examine briefs for the content and quality of information and to determine whether and to what extent the information was comprehensive and patient oriented. Findings: The results indicate that few strategic briefs make use of evidence to support their statements. Moreover, few briefs had an explicitly patient-focused goal for the project or measurable outcomes. Implication for practice: This new audit approach can be applied in various organisations and over time to improve the briefing process and create clearer goals and guidelines. Originality/value: The present study contributes with an audit of written briefs. The question of whether the use of briefing and a systematic brief make a significant contribution to the high quality of design solutions remains unanswered, as is also the case of whether the brief, in general, reflects the briefing process. Despite the recent focus on improving the quality of the briefing process, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the documentation resulting from the briefing process. Studies are needed that employ different approaches in order to accept or reject the assumption that the briefs are an accurate reflection of the briefing process.