Contract Magazine - June 2020 - 34

DESIGN IN ACTION

Expert Perspectives:
The Future of Healthcare
By Jocelyn M. Stroupe, AAHID, EDAC, IIDA, ASID,
Principal, Co-Director, Health Interiors, CannonDesign
With more than 30 years of industry experience, Stroupe is a leading
expert in the health market. She thrives on uniting the disciplines of
planning, programming, branding, and facility management with cohesive,
comforting interior design. She is especially invested in understanding
the unique needs of all users-patients, visitors, providers, and staff-
in their healthcare settings.
How has the healthcare design industry evolved over the last five years?
Prior to COVID-19, the industry made a specific shift to focus on design for the
experience of those who use the building. This means we consider an individual's
needs, recognizing the importance of every engagement of those who use
the building experience, with the goal of creating more meaningful experiences.
Another factor has been the consolidation in the market, with large health
systems emerging through mergers and acquisitions. This has brought increased
competition for services, forcing systems to focus on their brand and the way
they represent themselves to their communities. In addition, there has been
a greater scrutiny on expenditures and adding value to each decision. Where
in the past we may have designed grand lobby spaces that served little functional
purpose, we now incorporate multiple functions, such as retail, into such spaces
in order to make them purposeful and revenue-generating.
Where do you draw inspiration from and how do you develop new and
innovative ideas in your projects?
In healthcare design, we are addressing the needs of the most vulnerable-
emotionally, physically, and psychologically. As a result, we look to nature for
inspiration, as biophilic design is proven to reduce stress and provide improved
outcomes. I also look to other industries-hospitality, retail, workplace-
as innovation typically occurs sooner in those markets. The setting and local
culture also drives my approach. A facility in Southern California will be quite
different than one located in New England, due to the local cultural impact. This
depth of understanding, in addition to the building's users-their specific health
conditions, age, demographics-serve to relate place to the culture of an area.
How would you characterize the most interesting things happening in the
healthcare design industry today?
On a broad scale, the support for health and wellness. Many organizations are
embracing how health is impacted by the environment, including use of materials,
workplace design, and staff support areas. Others are embracing the idea of
building healthier communities and focusing on addressing the overall health
of the population by creating access to healthy food and space for outdoor
activities and education of their constituents. Healthcare organizations have
also recognized that clinical staff needs to work in collaborative settings.
On the construction and project delivery side, the adoption of modular
construction has been a game changer. Most healthcare facilities have multiple
spaces, such as patient, exam, or toilet rooms, that are identical. Constructing
units of this type off-site in a factory setting has reduced construction schedules,
improved quality, and ensured standardization.
What are the biggest challenges of healthcare design?
Healthcare projects are complex and, as a result, require participation from
many disparate entities within the organization. Frequently silos exist where these
entities do not communicate with each other or coordinate on a project's goals.
34

Another challenge healthcare designers face is meeting the specialized
needs for patients, such as mental health. Unfortunately, we find patients with
a wide range of behavioral health issues present at emergency departments
and inpatient environments. Because of safety concerns, it is challenging to design
an environment that is non-institutional and allows for patients to be treated
with dignity and respect.
What are some potential answers to these design challenges? What are some
small and big fixes that you think need to be addressed?
When organizing our approach to projects, we will typically seek a cross-functional
team across the board-design team as well as client representation. This has been
successful in gaining an understanding of needs from all perspectives and allows
us to explore solutions that address them comprehensively.
For behavioral health patients, we know more about how humans of varying
mental states process the world around them through research. For example, when
designing for patients with autism spectrum disorder, the space needs to be calming.
What's a breakthrough project that you worked on recently? What made
it noteworthy?
Nantucket Cottage Hospital is a small replacement hospital serving the residents
of Nantucket Island. There are two significant aspects to this project. First, the design
allows for wide flexibility in care delivery as well as staffing for a surge in population
that swings from roughly 13,000 permanent residents to more than 75,000 seasonal
residents over the summer. The second aspect is the relationship of the hospital
with its community. As the only hospital on the island, it provides a constant, safe,
and reliable center for the community, particularly during severe weather
conditions, when "shelter in place" has been the norm.
What are you and your business doing differently in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic?
This has tested our IT capacity, but more significantly, it has impacted the way
we ensure cultural continuity. I think we are recognizing how much can be done
remotely-we don't have to travel to hold a client meeting or interview for a project.
Wellness in the workplace has been highly visible through various firm-sponsored
webinars and virtual check-ins with staff, as connections have become more
personal to address the feelings of isolation that employees may experience.
How do you think COVID-19 will ultimately change the industry in years
to come?
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed America's healthcare system and society
to adapt at remarkable speed. For healthcare, change can be slow. Change that
usually would take years has occurred seemingly overnight. Medical staff have
developed creative care approaches in the moment, local governments have helped
create entirely new treatment spaces in days, and patients have instantly rethought
how they engage their providers. Telehealth has become commonplace and has
been embraced largely with success. We do not see that changing in the future.
Social distancing is going to continue and impact the design of public spaces,
including waiting areas, lounges, and offices. Healthcare organizations and experts
have determined these spaces are too crowded and are planning for fewer seats
to allow for flexibility. Operational changes will be made to address the way that
patients are scheduled.
What are your hopes for the future of healthcare design?
Every virus the world faces has its own unique challenges, but they all spread
through some form of human contact and interaction. This reality should motivate
health providers to embrace how design can help re-envision environments
to allow for a patient journey with increased social distancing while at the same
time encouraged socialization. Design plays a critical role in addressing the
psycho-social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental well-being is an important
area that all industries should focus on as we emerge to a new normal. We will all
seek authentic design that creates meaningful interactions. This is a time where
design can emerge as a therapeutic tool beyond what we've created in the past.
contractdesign.com

JUNE 2020

http://www.contractdesign.com

Contract Magazine - June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract Magazine - June 2020