Making Meaning from Complexity: Thoughts on the State of Healthcare

How can design be the key to solving the complex challenges faced by the U.S. healthcare system? Join host Matt Gerstner for this bite-sized episode as he dives into the heart of healthcare design, breaking down big design ideas into bite-sized morsels.

Discover how creating exceptional environments, balancing fiscal responsibility, and practicing good stewardship can make healthcare more accessible and efficient. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a design enthusiast, or just curious about how better spaces can lead to better care, this episode is packed with insights that you won't want to miss. 

For an even deeper dive, visit our full blog at https://www.bwbr.com/2024/04/01/thoughts-on-the-state-of-healthcare/

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Transcript

Matt Gerstner: 0:04

Hi everyone. Welcome to our new mini-episode of Side of Design, where we break down big design ideas into bite-sized morsels. I'm Matt Gerstner, your host for this episode. Today we're talking through some thoughts on the state of healthcare, specifically how architects and designers can make a real impact in this challenging landscape. Let's face it, the US healthcare system is complicated. We have some of the highest healthcare costs in the world and hospital margins are razor thin. Add in provider shortages, burnout, insurance headaches and patients who face their own barriers to care and it starts to feel like a tangled mess. But at the core, it's about one thing providing care to people when they need it most. The question is how can design help?

Matt Gerstner: 0:57

Here at BWBR, we've been having these conversations with healthcare leaders across the country and we found three ways we can support healthcare providers. First up, creating exceptional environments. Design isn't just about how a space looks, but how it works, especially in healthcare. We aim to bring a hospitality mindset to patient care, making sure the journey from check-in to treatment is smooth and welcoming, and it's not just for patients. Staff deserve spaces that support them too, with natural light, outdoor access and collaborative areas that promote well-being, safety and efficiency. Simple things like optimizing for staffing levels and cutting down walking distances can make a huge difference. Second, fiscal responsibility is key. With rising costs, it's important to create designs that stay within budget but don't skimp on quality. It's all about balance, creating spaces that serve patients and staff without over-designing or feeling too institutional.

Matt Gerstner: 2:10

We start by understanding each hospital's needs and market, using data to guide decisions, acting as a trusted advisor and making sure facilities are right-sized to match demand. Finally, we focus on good stewardship. This means being mindful of not just financial resources, but also human and environmental ones. Buildings should be adaptable and future-proof. Maybe that means integrating telehealth or planning for energy efficiency, or maybe it looks like packing increased function into a reduced footprint. We rely on data to test assumptions and maximize value with each decision. Sometimes, the best choice might even be to not build at all. Healthcare is more than just the care given within clinic walls. It's about addressing the broader factors that affect health, from social conditions to the physical environment. As designers, we have the privilege of helping healthcare providers balance these internal and external demands, ultimately making care more accessible and efficient. And that's it for today's Side of Design Bite-Sized episode. If you want to dig deeper, check out the full blog on this topic at bwbr. com. I'm Matt Gerstner and we'll see you on the other side.