DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Digital healthcare: a catalyst for human-centred design
The digital revolution in healthcare is a widely discussed narrative and – reckons Con McGarry, a senior consultant in the Architecture & Urbanism division at Arcadis – we are ‘inundated with tales of how digital tools are poised to redefine healthcare dynamics.’ While the digital wave is here, and a profound evolution that promises to transform healthcare as we know it, what follows, beyond the need to implement the technology? He explores this theme.
Advances in, and implementation of, digital healthcare are not an endpoint, but rather a launchpad, prompting further evolution in healthcare design. But what will that next layer of evolution look like? Perhaps now is the time to consider the impact that digital healthcare will have on the physical healthcare environment. This is where Human-Centred Design (HCD) enters the dialogue. HCD is an approach that prioritises the human experience within the design process, striving to create environments that are intuitive, accessible, and responsive to human needs. The potential modifications facilitated by digital healthcare tools create a conducive milieu for embedding HCD principles within healthcare spaces. They function as a catalyst, enabling a shift towards a design philosophy that places patients and healthcare staff at the core of architectural and operational design. If digital healthcare and HCD can successfully converge, they become a powerful force capable of re- shaping the healthcare landscape, driving a comprehensive evolution in healthcare design that is both technologically robust and focused on enhancing the human experience.
Digital healthcare influences on the built environment The healthcare landscape is expansive, and with digital tools making strides, they are introducing innovative elements to this environment. Be it patient-centric wearables, fleets of autonomous mobile robots roaming the floors of healthcare campuses, or AI-enabled chatbots, each technology has the potential to significantly impact the design, utilisation, and evolution of healthcare spaces. Take telemedicine as a forerunner – it
propels a model of care that extends beyond the physical boundaries of healthcare facilities. This decentralisation promotes a continuum of care that demands a re-think of patient areas to accommodate technology-enabled remote monitoring. Virtual care platforms,
Con McGarry says the integration of telemedicine and virtual care solutions can potentially reduce foot traffic within healthcare facilities. The reduced number of in-person visits could translate to less demand for parking, (un)paving the way for repurposed green, outdoor spaces, therapeutic gardens, or exercise areas.
for instance, require designated areas within healthcare facilities for remote consultations. They also challenge the traditional concept of waiting rooms, urging a re- evaluation of the vast space allocated for waiting areas in healthcare settings. Automation and robotics usher in a new era, where the built environment is significantly impacted. Whether it’s autonomous mobile robots streamlining supply chain logistics, or robotic process automation easing administrative tasks, the butterfly effect on spatial design is profound. The burgeoning array of digital healthcare tools holds the promise to redefine the physical healthcare environment. These tools not only alter spatial needs, but also boost operational efficiencies and redefine care delivery methods. The essence of HCD resides in crafting
environments that prioritise human needs, experiences, and behaviours. In the realm of digital healthcare, this ethos manifests in two distinct ways: 1 HCD by Design – the intentional incorporation of HCD principles during the development of digital healthcare tools, and
2 Digitally Derived HCD – the organic manifestation of HCD principles as a by-product of implementing digital solutions in the healthcare environment.
Digital wayfinding solutions Exploring the facet of ‘HCD by Design’ in digital healthcare, the integration of digital wayfinding solutions not only simplifies navigation, but also minimises the anxiety associated with traversing complex healthcare facilities. Intelligent building controls and other digital tools that influence the built environment can be leveraged to create spaces that dynamically respond to human needs. For example, heating, ventilation systems, and
March 2024 Health Estate Journal 73
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