Introducing Activity Tracking in Healthcare Settings: The Merit of Self-reflection

To investigate how healthcare buildings, especially hospitals, need to be designed to take up an active role in patient mobilisation and as such contribute to patient recovery, we are in need of a research approach to map patients’ physical activity in relation to the (indoor) built environment. Tracking participants’ physical activity is an important part of this as it allows to collect objective data on the kind, duration and intensity of movement which can then be discussed in relation to the built environment. The use of activity trackers can thus be considered a relevant method as part of a larger research approach. We illustrate how self-reflection can add to set up activity tracking through registering with and experiencing of wearing an activity tracker (Axivity). To conclude advantages and limitations of the self-reflection process are discussed in relation to the complex context of healthcare settings.