DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Revisiting HCD as a by-product of digital, AI is quickly being adopted as an administrative efficiency enhancing tool. The integration of AI into workflows to automate routine tasks such as pre-assessment, scheduling, and triage is a significant boon for healthcare professionals, freeing them from the administrative burden, and allowing them to dedicate more time to patient- facing care. The generation of clinical documentation has long been integrated with machine learning and AI-assisted speech recognition to support clinicians in dictating and transcribing patient notes and treatment plans. AI is now emerging
in more visible functions, powering virtual chatbots in telehealth environments, optimising supply chain management, and assisting clinical diagnosis. In radiology, AI-assisted image analysis has been demonstrated to expedite the review process and improve diagnostic accuracy, enabling radiologists to focus on more complex diagnostic tasks. Whatever form AI takes in the healthcare environment, the benefits are overwhelmingly aligned with HCD. By fostering more patient-centred and responsive healthcare environments, AI not only enhances the overall quality of care, but also enriches the work life of
Con McGarry and Arcadis
Con McGarry is a senior consultant in the Architecture & Urbanism division at Arcadis, specialising in the integration of technology into healthcare environments to redefine healthcare delivery. With a Bachelor of Science degree with a strong healthcare foundation, and an MBA in Business Administration and Management, he has enjoyed a diverse career path – from pathology roles in the NHS to senior executive positions in technology, covering areas such as mobility technology and AI-enhanced medical software. His expertise now spans healthcare strategy, consulting, and advisory services, where he has spearheaded significant improvement programs both nationally and internationally. At Arcadis, he leads the digital healthcare agenda, ‘aiming to transform patient experiences and enhance healthcare provision through innovative technology in facility design’.
healthcare providers by facilitating more meaningful human interactions, a core tenet of HCD.
Embarking on a human-centric digital evolution The narrative presented here is a journey of evolution, beginning with the integration of digital healthcare tools which set the stage by addressing immediate challenges, and opening spaces rich with potential. The next step in this journey involves harnessing these digital advancements to embed and embrace HCD principles, amplifying the human experience within healthcare environments. This dual synergy transcends mere operational and clinical efficiencies, heralding a new era of human-centric healthcare spaces. It poses a riveting question: What is stopping us from fully embracing this transformative confluence of technology and human- centric principles? The path forward beckons healthcare organisations to prioritise the infusion of digital innovations in their design blueprints. It is a call to action for a collaborative endeavour involving technologists, architects, clinicians, and patients. As we champion patient-centred care, efficient space utilisation, and resource optimisation, we edge closer to a healthcare environment that is not only efficient and responsive, but also deeply empathetic.
March 2024 Health Estate Journal 75
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