Modernising Clinical Spaces

Architect Harsh Pote explores how the clinic design is evolving to provide a patient-centric focus, team-based care and value-based reimbursements through colour, comfort, and environment.

Clinical design has evolved to align with current needs and technological advancements. Medical practices and practitioners have advanced in their specialties, instruments, methodologies, and even the design of medical facilities, including wall spaces. This evolution has been driven by a patient-centric approach, focusing on enhancing the patient experience, providing optimal relaxation, reducing anxiety, and promoting a sense of well-being. These changes are influencing patient expectations and the way they choose to receive care, which, in turn, is shaping how clinics are designed.

An overview of clinical design

Formal medical facilities began to emerge in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with significant evolution continuing through the 20th and 21st centuries. By 2024, the design of medical institutions transformed due to the incorporation of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) into medical treatment. The goal of this transition is to enhance patient-centric care, promote team-based approaches, and support value-based reimbursements.

These changes are influencing patient expectations and the way they choose to receive care, which is crucial in their decisionmaking process.

At the core of all good healthcare design is the patient experience, from arrival to departure, and every aspect of clinic design impacts this experience. In aesthetic practices, where patients seek treatments to enhance their external appearance, the overall clinic experience becomes even more important. Therefore, the choice of colours, furniture, and layout of the medical facility plays a critical role in ensuring patient satisfaction at every stage of treatment.

Harnessing the Power of Colour Theory

Colour theory can be utilised to create an environment that promotes relaxation and comfort while enhancing the patient experience by reducing stress and fostering a feeling of security. Here are some ways clinics can effectively harness the benefits of colour theory:

• Soft blues and greens: These colours are ideal for creating calm atmospheres that help reduce anxiety levels. They can be incorporated into various elements of the space, such as walls or furniture.

• Warm neutrals: Colours like beige and topaz add warmth and create a cosy environment without being overwhelming. Light grey offers a sense of stability and comfort.

• Natural colours: Neutral tones like browns, greens, or blues evoke elements of the natural world, which many find comforting. This biophilic approach can enhance well-being by further reducing tension and anxiety, helping to establish a feeling of security within the surrounding environment.

Optimising patient experience and satisfaction

Enhancing patient experience and satisfaction through aesthetic design involves creating a welcoming, calming, and efficient environment. This approach prioritises the following elements:

• Creating a welcoming environment: First impressions matter. Aesthetic design helps create an inviting atmosphere that puts patients at ease the moment they enter the clinic. Patients often envision an entrance lobby that feels more like a lounge than a typical reception foyer. A visually pleasing environment can significantly reduce the anxiety and stress commonly associated with clinic visits.

• Improving comfort and convenience: Thoughtful design extends to the layout and functionality of the clinic. Comfortable furniture, clear signage, and accessible facilities enhance overall comfort and convenience, making visits smoother and more enjoyable for patients. This, in turn, boosts staff efficiency and morale. In aesthetic design, it is crucial to consider not only the patients but also the clinic staff. A well-designed environment positively impacts the staff, whose wellbeing directly influences the patient experience.

Facilitating healing and recovery

Promoting wellness, enhancing comfort and safety, facilitating physical activity, and reducing stress levels in patients are some of the benefits derived from well-designed clinic environments. These can be achieved in three ways:

• Nature-inspired components: Clinics should incorporate indoor plants, water features, and natural materials to create biophilic design elements that connect patients with nature, enhancing mood and providing emotional support.

• Safety and comfort: Clinics should implement ergonomic furniture, non-slip flooring, and clear pathways to ensure patients can move around comfortably and safely, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.

• Promotion of physical activity: Clinics should design accessible outdoor areas or indoor walking paths to encourage physical activity among patients, contributing to their overall healing process.

Inspiring confidence and trust

Aesthetically pleasing design conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail, playing a significant role in instilling confidence and trust in patients regarding the care they will receive, thereby strengthening the patient-provider relationship. Key elements that build this confidence and trust include:

• Professional appearance: A clean, modern, and organised environment projects professionalism and competence. High-quality furnishings and contemporary decor create a positive first impression.

• Comfortable and private spaces: Providing patients with private consultation rooms and comfortable waiting areas upholds their right to privacy and personal space, fostering an environment where they can express themselves freely, thereby enhancing trust and confidence in the treatment process.

• Uniform branding: A professional image is reinforced by cohesive and consistent branding throughout the clinic. A unified appearance, with matching color schemes, logos, and signage, is perceived as more credible and reliable.

• Patient-centric design: When a clinic prioritises the needs and comfort of its patients, it fosters confidence and trust. Examples include kid-friendly spaces, comfortable seating, and easily accessible amenities.

Lighting and materials

Lighting is a crucial component of clinic design. Proper lighting not only enhances the ambiance but also helps create a relaxing atmosphere, making patients feel more at ease during their treatments. Various areas within the clinic require different lighting intensities and lux levels to suit their specific functions.

Materials are equally vital in interior design, influencing the aesthetics, functionality, comfort, and sustainability of the space. The right combination of materials can create an environment that resonates deeply, much like the harmonious notes of a wellcomposed song.

Optimal clinic design

A common change in any healthcare facility is its design. To ensure complete patient satisfaction, a healthcare facility must incorporate elements of colour theory, comfort, healing, and trust. Thoughtful clinical design benefits both patients and clinical staff by enhancing staff productivity, which in turn improves the clinic’s overall performance.

The above article has been extracted from Architect Harsh Pote’s recent talk at the Aesthetic Medicine India Conference 2024 in Mumbai.

“At the core of all good healthcare design is the patient experience, from arrival to departure, and every aspect of clinic design impacts this experience. ”

About Architect Harsh Pote: Ar. Harsh Pote, Co-Founder, Pentaspace, is an exemplary leader with expertise in elevation aesthetics and material visualisation. He oversees every project from construction to finishing, using comprehensive sketches and intricate details to build projects with unparalleled foresight regarding site and context. His commitment to completing projects within budget while maintaining architectural aesthetics has earned him respect and several national awards from renowned architects like Ar BV Joshi.