Creating a better healing environment in Qatari healthcare sector: Exploring the research agenda for the future

Healing environment and Health Associated Infections (HAI) have been researched for more than 30 years globally. There is definitely a consensus among the researchers and practitioners about its importance. A range of issues such as knowledge management, performance management, design management and process management have been highlighted as major contributors to healing environment and HAI. This paper presents the results of a workshop conducted in Doha, Qatar with the purpose of exploring the problems encountered in the Qatari healthcare sector regarding HAI and healing environment. The major findings from the workshops indicated that there is a need for more research in the areas of knowledge management and performance management in order to better maintain healthcare facilities. The design of healthcare facilities and the implementation of green building guidelines in Qatar also need to incorporate design practices and features that can improve healing and have been researched in other parts of the world. This paper compiles the research agenda for future researchers to pursue and improve the performance and healing environment in Qatar.