Practice-Based Research: Candice Barter AIA

Candice Barter AIA
associate vice president and principal, HGA

Lightning presentation
8:30 am - 8:45 am EDT
Research in Healthcare Design: Linking our Curiosity to the Impact We Make

How do you define practice-based research?
Practice-based research at HGA is foundational – it is integral to our strategic plan. We believe that research is the fundamental link between our curiosity and the knowledge that enables us to help our clients and communities thrive. As part of our foundation, we perform self-funded research that will inform our work and we also learn from individual projects through leveraging technology, data collection, and ethnography – to inform the next project, and translate into the next great idea.

What is the biggest barrier to practice-based research?
There are many barriers to practice-based research – funding, time, and the concern that practice-based research discourages innovation.

What is the value of practice-based research?
Practice-based research promotes user buy in and facilitates change management. It can impact decision-making during design by building empathy and trust and validates design decisions during post-occupancy.

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Candice Barter is an Associate Vice President and Healthcare Principal in the Boston office of HGA, serving the Northeast Region. She has extensive planning and design experience in facilities for top tier healthcare institutions, such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and Mass General Brigham. Her work at HGA combines her expertise with evidence-based research and carefully listening to clients to craft a solution that is unique to their project needs.

Candice is a member of the Facility Guidelines Institute’s (FGI): Guidelines for Emergency Conditions – Surge Capacity Considerations Committee. As a committee member, Candice works alongside industry thought leaders researching the needs of organizations in various emergency condition situations such as the pandemic. She recently co-authored a white paper entitled, Patient Journey Reconsidered, which looks at the patient journey and the effects of Covid-19 on patient needs as well as recommended design solutions for meeting those needs. Candice is an active member of the Healthcare Associated Infections Organization, chairing a committee for their Healthcare Surge Solutions Taskforce.