Hospital of the future must be "human-centric" says report
A new white paper has identified that hospitals must become more human-centric, sustainable and take a multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of patients and the workforce in the future.
The report states that a new model is needed for the hospital of the future, that is efficient, flexible and environmentally responsible.
The 70-page paper is by Tarkett, a French multinational that provides flooring to hospitals and other public buildings around the world. The research was compiled in response to the stress the COVID-19 pandemic placed on healthcare systems around the world, in an attempt to find solutions.
The paper identified the main challenges that affect healthcare now and are likely to continue, including:
* An increasing demand for healthcare due to ageing, growing populations and rising chronic illness
* The threat of future pandemics and climate change
* A shortage of medical staff
To tackle these, a deeper integration of digital technology is needed, along with more efforts to drive sustainability. Tarkett's recommendations include:
* Being better prepared for large-scale emergencies
* Empowering patients and families to allow patients a more active role in their own healthcare in and out of the hospital, reducing hospital stays or even avoiding them.
* Designing for quality of life in medical facilities. This should include the creation of healing spaces that promote privacy and give patients a sense of control over their environment.
* Making hospitals great places to work to support the work of medical staff and provide them with dedicated spaces for rest, in turn improving the patient experience.
* Embracing digital health technologies
* Smart buildings that allow medical staff to focus more on the human aspects of their work by speeding up day to-day tasks
Read the full report The Hospital of the Future: Challenges and Stakes