Photo credit: Baker Barrios Arquitectos
Long before a person seeks medical care, whether for illness or preventative treatment, certain social determinants have likely already influenced their long-term health prospects.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are factors in the environment where people live, learn, work and play that affect a wide range of health outcomes and quality of life. Examples of SDOH with positive effects include access to safe housing, nutritious food, and opportunities for physical activity.
Negative factors include a variety of harmful conditions, such as heart disease and cancer, caused by everything from pollution to crime. The ability to obtain an education, get a job, and use transportation are other examples that, when lacking, can contribute to negative health disparities.
This concept of social determinants of health is widely recognized and is even a key focus of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “Healthy People 2030” initiative, which sets data-driven national goals to improve health and well-being.
So how can the healthcare design industry combat negative SDOH?
SDOH and the built environment
Architects have long studied how the built environment can promote the health and well-being of occupants, and most efforts have focused on residential and commercial office buildings where people spend most of their time. It is not only the design of these buildings that matters, but also their location; For example, newly built homes will not have the same quality of life benefits if they are located in a neighborhood with high crime and few amenities.
The same principle applies to healthcare-related real estate. A state-of-the-art facility will do little to improve the health of a community if those most in need cannot access its services, whether that means transportation issues, language barriers, or other similar obstacles. For this reason, HHS’ Healthy People 2030 program includes increasing providers’ capacity to deliver “patient-centered, timely, and accessible care” as a goal linked to the broader healthcare-focused SDOH, which includes access and the quality of medical care. and the built environment.
Assuming that society has removed basic barriers to health by providing quality housing in safe, accessible, mixed-use neighborhoods, what continues to prevent people from seeking care or following the steps prescribed by their health care provider?
Sometimes the answer is in the physical space itself.
According to a recent Patient Point Study, two in five Americans surveyed said they feel anxious when visiting healthcare facilities. For many, part of that anxiety is related to sterile institutional designs that often do not focus on the patient experience.
Design strategies to support access to care
It is in this aspect of healthcare (the physical environment) where designers can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the general population. Working together with healthcare owners, operators, and executives, the industry can lead the way in reinventing the built environment of healthcare systems.
Some strategies to provide attractive healthcare environments where patients feel comfortable seeking care include:
- Reduce institutional influences. Simply put, making the healthcare environment feel more like “home.” While the materials used should support a clean, sterile environment, warmth can be added through colorful paint, lighting, furniture, and artwork that helps patients feel more comfortable in their surroundings. Exposure to natural light and fresh air, whether through the use of windows or a direct connection to the outdoors, can also promote patient comfort.
- Improve targeting. Patients feel uncomfortable when it is not clear where they should go in a building. Having a layout that is intuitive to navigate, with appropriate signage and staff stations that can help direct visitors to their destination, will result in a more positive experience. In addition to their aesthetic benefits, colored walls and artwork can also serve as memory cues that help patients retrace their steps during a visit.
- Address equity and inclusion. Consider that, like healthcare itself, designing a space that is comfortable and functional is not a one-size-fits-all model. Meeting the needs of a patient population by offering signage and information in multiple languages, for example. Additionally, ensure facilities are available to everyone, including all gender identities and family structures. One approach is to include family-friendly and gender-neutral or non-gender-inclusive bathrooms. If you include art that represents people, select pieces that represent a broad population. For neurodivergent people, care spaces, such as separate waiting rooms or quiet rooms, with less stimuli or different sensory options, can allow a person to decompress or refocus.
Use design to improve health outcomes
Numerous studies, including one by National Library of Medicinehave demonstrated the costly impact that patient readmissions, hospital-acquired infections, and delayed diagnoses have on healthcare outcomes.
Having a population that seeks timely, reliable care and feels involved in their treatment plan has been shown to be the most cost-effective way to improve health.
Together, architects and healthcare providers can help close gaps in healthcare delivery in the U.S. and ensure facilities are designed to maximize positive outcomes for patients both today and in the future.
Ray Wong is associate director, Panadero Barrios Architects in Tampa, Florida and can be reached in rwong@bakerbarrios.com.
