Elke Miedema

Dr. Elke Miedema serves as a lecturer-researcher in the Department of Technology, Design & Computer Science at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, chairing the WHO-affiliated HealthPromoting Built Environment task force. Her work focuses on designing health-promoting buildings across hospitals, healthcare centers, assisted living facilities, residential neighborhoods, and workplaces.

Her research emphasizes user-centered architectural solutions for patients, caregivers, and residents, with special attention to accessibility and behavior-influencing design. Key projects investigate how waiting room environments impact patient stress and consultation efficacy, demonstrating that elements like natural light, greenery, and art reduce anxiety and improve healthcare outcomes. She advocates for neighborhood-integrated care centers to combat social isolation among aging populations, opposing isolated nursing home models in favor of community vitality hubs.

Elke's publications reveal consistent focus on architectural evidence gaps in healthcare settings, with recent work mapping research trends (2024) and analyzing stakeholder interpretations of health promotion in hospital design (2017). Her findings highlight underserved areas like social aspects and nature integration, while emphasizing practical applications where minor design changes yield significant health and cost benefits.

Through media engagements with NPO Radio 1, EditieNL, and national publications, she translates research into actionable insights for practitioners, demonstrating how thoughtful built environments reduce healthcare costs by improving patient-provider communication and decreasing repeat visits.