The Future of Health Care – and Design

Photo from The Center for Health Design

The Covid-19 pandemic has gotten us all thinking about the ways in which our world is going to change. That’s just as true for design and construction of the spaces in which we live and care for others. At Verday Health, we see this moment as one that’s likely to accelerate positive advancements in health care – and that, of course, is a good thing.

From the beginning, our prototypes were developed with the assumption that telemedicine would become a common way to connect for routine health issues, particularly in rural markets. That’s part of the reason why our prototypes were designed with fewer exam rooms – both to maximize efficiency and integrate telemedicine into the providers’ environments. There will still be times when patients will need or want to see their health care provider in-person, but we anticipate those occasions to be less frequent than in the past as convenience becomes more important and technology more universally accepted. We considered how our exam rooms and behavioral health spaces could be designed to naturally integrate both in-person and virtual check-ups, eliminating the need for additional spaces or a strict division between how health consults are delivered.

We also felt it was important to be certified in Evidence-Based Design (EBD), the process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes. Safety and infection control are central to an EBD approach to design and building, as is environmental sustainability, communication, and aesthetic considerations that have been proven to enhance overall health outcomes and patient experience. Our prototypes are designed as patient-centered medical homes that are safe, efficient, and rewarding to navigate and occupy.

In addition, our human-centered approach preferences the experience and input of not just executives and administrators, but also health care providers, support workers, patients and their families. We believe that communication and agency is vitally important to the health care process, and that the perspectives of all stakeholders should be considered in design solutions. Our pre-design process includes interviews with representatives of all stakeholder groups, ensuring we don’t miss things important to the health care journey for those who will ultimately occupy or receive care in our clinic environments.

Rural and safety net hospitals, which struggle during normal times, are especially under threat of  closing across our nation under the burden of the global pandemic coupled with the economic downturn. This means many communities may lose access to vital services. Supplemental legislation is needed to help save these safety-net facilities, but we also need new solutions for the future that thoughtfully integrate clinical needs with technology to create environments that meet stakeholders’ needs. That’s what we’re dedicated to creating at Verday Health.

Reach out to us if you have thoughts, ideas or questions.

Why Modular Design for Health?

Verday Health believes that modular design and construction is the ideal way to go to provide a sustainable model for rural and community health design. Why? It occupies the sweet spot where viability, feasibility and desirability intersect.

In the past few years modular construction technology has advanced to make well-designed, low-cost construction feasible. Because of these advances and the efficiencies provided, modular solutions are now viable for healthcare. And, we believe that building evidence-based spaces for rural and community health with enhanced speed and reduced cost is desirable. Our conversations with professionals working in this healthcare space have reinforced this belief.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve toward an approach to health that is more upstream – looking at the root causes of disease and the social, economic and environmental origins of health and wellbeing – more community-based solutions and services are pursued. This means a shift towards more ambulatory care, outpatient clinics and wellness centers, meeting patients in their communities as active partners in their health journeys. This rising focus on population health emphasizes education, prevention and wellness. We feel strongly that community-based spaces designed specifically to address these demands are needed. While telemedicine and digital health solutions will be increasingly adopted, there will always be a need for thoughtfully designed community space that supports healthcare delivery.

Modular planning and prefabrication’s cost-effective design-and-construction process increases speed-to-market, helping providers address community needs more effectively, with less friction. Whereas traditional construction of buildings from foundation to framing, enclosure and interior fit-out is often a long and unpredictable process, with modular construction a building is constructed off-site, under controlled plant conditions, using the same materials and designing to the same codes and standards as conventionally built facilities – but in about half the time. Buildings are produced in “modules” that offer predictable quality that’s customizable. Prototypes are scalable and flexible, allowing for quicker iterations of new care models. The factory-controlled process of modular generates less waste, creates fewer site disturbances and allows for tighter construction timelines. And, when put together on site, modular buildings can offer the same design intent and sophistication as facilities built on site.

The possibilities are exciting.

Consider this: A typical medical building can take three to five years to complete, from early concept planning and programming to design development, construction, and finally occupancy. A well-designed modular approach and program can reduce that timeline by half, resulting in savings that can be passed on to the patient. Time, of course, means money – but it also can often mean a delay in meeting the needs of patients. At Verday Health, we’re driven by a sense of purpose to serve those in need.

The automotive and retail industries have been using a modular approach successfully for decades, but not the healthcare industry. This is beginning to change, as the improving technology and benefits of modular become evident.

Ultimately, we’re focused on the patients, providers and the communities served. We’re not just builders, we’re community experience designers fixed on solutions that provide better care, compassion and convenience for those we have the privilege of serving. Peter’s roots in design and development, planning, and community leadership and Susan’s background in global healthcare, social innovation, and human-centered design make for a team that’s passionate about positive change for under-represented populations. We’re excited by what we can create with communities to increase access to quality care.

This article references information in “Building the Future of Modular Health Design,” by Stan Chiu and Andrew Zimmer (4/1/2018), https://hga.com/building-the-future-of-modular-healthcare-design/