Going to the doctor can be an extremely stressful experience. Patients often feel nervous about their condition, treatment, and long-term health when visiting medical offices. Thoughtfully designed medical facilities can dramatically improve the patient experience by creating calming, comfortable environments conducive to healing.
Here are three medical office building designs that can positively increase patient experience.
1. Net Zero Building Construction
Net zero buildings that generate as much or more energy than they consume can provide medical offices with sustainable, eco-friendly facilities. Not only does this save money operating the facility, but net zero buildings also offer better air quality.
Features like insulated concrete form walls with integrated high-performance insulation allow for superb temperature and noise control. This helps buffer exterior noise to promote quiet, private spaces for improved patient focus. Noise control also promotes patient and doctor confidentiality.
Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems also enhances climate control for optimal comfort. And installing heavy-duty adjustable air dampers enables airflow as needed room-by-room. With stable, comfortable temperatures and minimal ambient noise distractions, patients can better relax during appointments.
2. Aesthetic Improvements
Outdated and uncomfortable environments can increase stress and lower patient confidence during the appointment. A welcoming, aesthetically pleasing environment eases pre-appointment nerves and reassures patients they’ve made the right decision for their healthcare.
Simple upgrades include:
- Hanging inspiring photography or artwork
- Installing faux wood beams and trim for a warm aesthetic
- Updating waiting room furniture from vinyl to neutral fabrics and natural materials
- Bringing the outdoors in with large, leafy plants that thrive in low light
Medical offices designed with patients’ emotional well-being in mind facilitate more positive and receptive appointment experiences.
3. Natural Light
A lack of natural light can leave patients and medical staff feeling gloomy. Incorporating more natural lighting into medical facilities — wherever feasible — provides literal and metaphorical warmth. Options range from:
- Skylights and solar tubes bring light into interior rooms
- Windows overlooking nature for mental/visual respite
- Rotating workspace layouts to take advantage of daylight
- Swapping out fluorescents for LEDs with adjustable color temperature
Natural lighting helps energize spaces emotionally and visually. This not only benefits patients but also medical staff working long shifts under artificial lights all day. However, be aware of a building’s design before incorporating natural light. It is important that exam rooms maintain a level of privacy that guarantees a patient’s comfort. Opt for shades in exam rooms.
So, Is a Patient-Focused Medical Office Design Worth the Investment?
Absolutely, clinical studies clearly demonstrate links between medical facility design and patient health outcomes. Thoughtfully designed clinics and doctor offices lead to less patient stress and anxiety, more successful diagnosis and treatment, faster recovery times, and fewer return visits.
Construction designs for medical office buildings such as hospitals, clinics, and doctor offices of all kinds come with unique needs for the healthcare industry. When developing commercial real estate that will be used for a medical office building, considerations must be made for the comfort of the patient’s experiences when seeking medical care or treatment.
Although up-front costs to upgrade medical offices can seem high, the data shows that investing in patient-centric and sustainable building design pays dividends through improved care quality and efficiency.
FAQs About Medical Office Building Design
What are some hallmarks of a patient-friendly medical facility design?
Some core pillars of a patient-centric healthcare design include natural lighting, natural aesthetics, sustainable construction, enhanced climate and noise control, and cozier furnishings.
How does office design impact patient experience?
Everything from drab decor and harsh lighting to uncomfortable chairs and cold temperatures can negatively impact patient stress levels and appointment receptiveness. Thoughtfully designed facilities help patients feel relaxed, welcomed, and cared for — which directly enhances their experience.
Where can medical offices look for guidance on improving their spaces?
Industry groups like the Center for Health Design provide evidence-based architectural and design research to help healthcare facilities optimize their environments around patient needs and outcomes. Consulting their guidelines is a great starting point.
