It’s definitely “science”, but no longer “fiction”... In the third and final part of the series of posts about the hospitals of the future, researcher Dolev Vaknin provides a glimpse into the expected changes in the design and planning of hospitals and how these are expected to affect our health. [Part III]
Welcome to the final article of our series on hospitals of the future. We previously explored the impact of technology on hospitals and patient care such as the use of robots, telemedicine, and AI-powered systems. In this article, we will examine how digital assistance and hospital design will shape the design and patient experience in hospitals
Digital assistance
As of today, patients rely on medical staff to provide information about their care, including navigating through the hospital, medication instructions, and diagnostic information. However, using digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home can provide patients with this information, as well as help them navigate the hospital and even control room lighting and temperature.
Digital assistance is not just a matter of convenience, this technology holds the potential to improve patient experience and even medical treatment. This can be achieved by encouraging patients to adhere to their clinical plans, scheduling appointments with caregivers, renewing prescriptions, and providing additional information to increase their knowledge about their condition.
Furthermore, digital assistance can be integrated into healthcare robots, as discussed in part one of this article series. Digital assistance has the potential to improve the doctor-patient relationship by freeing up valuable time for physicians. By automating tasks and providing patients with information, digital assistants can allow doctors to spend more time on personalized care and treatment plans.
The market for digital assistance is rapidly growing and is expected to become more prevalent in hospitals in the future, leading to improved health services and a better experience for patients.”
Designing hospitals as a foundation for patient experience
Designing future hospitals with natural light, noise control, and inviting rooms is not just a trend, it is a necessity. Hospitalization can be stressful, intimidating, and boring for patients and family members, which is why a change is needed.
Studies have shown that exposure to natural light and noise control can have a positive impact on patient outcomes, such as reducing the duration of hospital stays. Additionally, natural light can improve the mood and overall well-being of patients and staff as one. Certain hospitals can control the color or brightness of the light or use lighting systems that allow more natural light to enter the room, even in rooms that do not have windows at all. Instead of relying solely on artificial light, these hospitals aim to provide a more comfortable and healing environment for patients.
Noise control is also vital in hospital design. Hospitals can be incredibly noisy places, which can disrupt the healing process of patients as found in recent studies. Hospitals that recognize the importance of sound control can use different solutions, such as “silent alerts” that are received only by medical staff or using sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise and create a peaceful environment for patients.
Another important aspect is room design. Patients spend a significant amount of time in their hospital rooms. Incorporating features such as inviting colors and textures, digital assistance, and digital systems to control light and temperature can provide a better experience for patients and may reduce negative feelings. This has been implemented at New Children’s Hospital in Ireland and Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden.
The design of a hospital can have a significant impact on the healing and recovery process of patients. By incorporating these elements while designing a hospital, future hospitals will be able to provide a more comfortable and healing environment for patients.
Hospitals of the future - there is much to look forward to
In this series of articles, we take a closer look at the exciting advancements in technology that are shaping the future of hospitals. From telemedicine that allows remote consultations and virtual medical care, to contactless monitoring systems and AI-powered predictions, the future of healthcare is looking more advanced and efficient than ever before! We also explore the importance of hospital design in creating welcoming and healing environments for patients. With these cutting-edge technologies, the hospitals of the future will be able to provide a higher level of care, better than ever before.
