Creating healing environments in medical workplaces

In the past, medical clinics were often cold, sterile places. Their hallmarks included stark white walls, harsh fluorescent lights, rigid, uncomfortable furniture and the sharp smell of antiseptic. The focus was on hygiene and efficiency – no-one cared very much about comfort.

For many, visiting these clinics was an experience to be endured rather than embraced. The environment did little to ease the stress or apprehension that often accompanies medical appointments. It was as if the design itself reinforced the notion that healthcare was something to be feared or avoided. The sterile surroundings, while clean and professional, often felt impersonal and even intimidating.

Thankfully, there’s been a shift in the design of healthcare spaces.

Today, we recognise that the environment in which care is delivered plays a crucial role in the overall patient experience. Modern clinics are now embracing a more holistic approach to design, prioritising comfort, relaxation and even a sense of tranquillity.

Entering a stress-relieving environment is great for patients who are anxious about their health, have rushed out of work early to get to the doctor or have rearranged their day around the needs of a sick child.

But it’s not just about them. Healthcare is a rewarding job but it’s undeniably a stressful one. Doctors, allied health professionals, practice managers and administrative staff could all benefit from an interior design that promotes wellbeing.

Therapeutic atmosphere

From the moment your patient arrives, you want them to feel soothed and cared for. The aim is to put patients at ease from the moment they walk through the door, reducing anxiety and making the overall experience more pleasant.

That’s why modern clinics often incorporate natural materials like wood and stone along with a soothing colour scheme, plenty of greenery and natural light – or even a water feature. Biophilic designs like this help to connect people more closely to the calming influence of nature.

When your health clinic is designed like this, it feels more like a high-end spa – a place you’d seek out for comfort and refreshment.

Biophilic designs can help to relieve stress, something both patients and staff will appreciate. They can also boost cognitive function and creativity, potentially giving healthcare staff vital insights into a patient’s needs.

Patient comfort

Inevitably, patients spend some time waiting before their appointment. Hopefully, it’s not too long but healthcare can be unpredictable and it’s not uncommon for practitioners to find themselves behind schedule.

That means your waiting area should be comfortable. Consider your patients and provide for their needs. Depending on your clientele, you may need a children’s playspace or wide, ergonomic seats to ensure patients of every size feel comfortable. That sense of comfort and welcome should extend to the consultation rooms.

A workspace that works

Your staff will spend a considerable amount of their week in your clinic. It needs to be a viable space for them.

In consultation rooms, consider things like:

• Comfortable seats for patients and their family members
• Natural light (while maintaining privacy through features like frosted glass)
• Plenty of storage for ‘tools of the trade,’ including medical equipment, textbooks and patient education resources
• Soundproofing to maintain patient privacy
• Space for examination and treatment – depending on your role, this may range from a treatment bed to an area for practising physiotherapy exercises.

For staff comfort, ensure there’s a pleasant kitchen or coffee space, or even an outdoor area to sit with a sandwich while grabbing a quick lunch.

A layout that supports your workflow

Thoughtful layout helps maximise workflow and efficiency. It’s much easier for staff to be productive if everything they need is close to hand.

That’s why we begin by thinking about how staff and patients need to use your space. Is the reception close to the doors so that patients are greeted as soon as they enter? What signage is needed to ensure patients can easily find their way to the right consultation room or to the bathroom?

If you run a multidisciplinary practice, then you may choose to:

• Differentiate each service area through a specific colour palette
• Create different consultation spaces – interior design for a psychology practice may emphasise a comfortable place to talk while interior design for a physiotherapist may focus on ensuring enough space for hands-on treatment and exercises
• Design a collaboration space where the whole professional team can come together to contribute their individual skills to a patient’s care.

How can we help?

At Growth Workplace Design, we excel at creating innovative interior designs for healthcare practices from dentists to doctors, physiotherapists to psychologists, chiropractors to beauty therapists.

Our interior designs reflect your practice’s culture and values, creating a warm, welcoming and functional space where your staff can work and your patients can flourish.

Please contact us to discuss your space.