How important is a patient’s sense of control over his or her environment in healthcare and healing facilities?

Research suggests that a patient’s perceived control over their environment has a positive effect on their overall health and health outcomes when receiving medical care. Additionally, a patient’s sense of control can reduce blood pressure, slow respiration, decrease heart rates, shorten hospital stays, and increase overall patient satisfaction.

The problem with this overall body of knowledge is that the positive effects that can result from a patient’s perceived control is moderated by how much the patient desires control and feels that the control they have gained meets their desired needs. Providing too much control can also have a negative outcome for patients that do not feel a need to have control over their surroundings.

As a result, how can Interior Designers provide enough control to patients through without inundating them with options?