Can a building really influence your relationships at school or work? In a study of students, staff and faculty at the Health Education Campus (HEC), John Paul Stephens, associate professor of organizational behavior, and research team members Amrita Bonthu, Sophie Friedl and Garrett Weskamp are investigating that very question.
As part of a longitudinal study, interviews with HEC members revealed that the aesthetics, physical infrastructure and technology support on campus helped improve interprofessional education and collaboration. However, the built space still gave members a sense of separation among students, staff and faculty, and presented issues with security and disability accommodations.
To promote positive change, interviewees described the importance of voicing needs and concerns constructively, engaging staff to identify appropriate change agents and improving the transparency of decision-making processes among faculty members. These findings were presented in a poster session at the recent School of Medicine Education Retreat.
To learn more or to participate in the study, please contact Stephens at jps136@case.edu.