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Patient-First Family Medicine Clinics

By Bill Ledger, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, EDAC, LEED AP, LSSGB

April 18, 2024

There are many elements to a patient’s experience when they attend a primary care clinic, starting the moment they walk through the door.

Whether or not they feel that they are being adequately cared for is crucial. By prioritizing patient-centered care, effective communication, and streamlined appointment scheduling, clinics can establish a solid foundation for improving care delivery. This approach ensures efficient and effective healthcare services while promoting trust and well-being within the community, aligning healthcare practices with the evolving needs of today’s patients. Clinics can create environments where patients feel heard, supported, and well cared for throughout their healthcare journey. As one of the main gateways to the healthcare system, family medicine clinics offer an immense opportunity to advance community health initiatives and to set the stage for a full spectrum and continuum of care.​
Parkview Medical Park 11 - Clinic lobby

An Evolving World of Healthcare – Primary Considerations for Creating a Truly Caring Environment

What does a patient-centric clinic experience look like, and how do healthcare facilities promote the best patient experiences in their spaces? It starts by considering how to create a truly caring environment for patients – reflecting on patient empowerment, value-based care, personalized medicine, ethical and cultural considerations, telehealth and digital medicine options, and more. Patient-centric care extends beyond personalized treatment, emphasizing preventive care, cultural sensitivity, and care coordination. Providers are increasingly dedicated to educating patients about their conditions and encouraging healthier lifestyles to reduce chronic diseases’ incidence.
Parkview Medical Park 11 - Clinic lobby

First Things First – Strategic Analysis and Planning

In order to truly integrate these patient-centric elements into a healthcare clinic, the first thing to be done is strategic analysis and planning. Conducting a comprehensive market analysis and needs assessment is paramount for healthcare clients looking to establish or enhance their family medicine clinics. This strategic process encompasses various vital components. Moreover, an in-depth examination of healthcare trends, patient preferences, and regulatory considerations ensures that the clinic operates in line with evolving industry standards and caters to the unique expectations of its clientele. It is important to remember that the healthcare landscape is dynamic, and staying adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of your community is key to the long-term success of a family medicine clinic.
Parkview Physicians Group Twin Creeks Cove Lobby

Improving the Patient Experience

Designing a family medicine clinic to enhance the patient experience is a paramount concern for healthcare providers. The primary intent or goal for the facility should be to reduce stress – for patients, family members and staff. The clinic’s layout should prioritize a patient-centered approach, featuring a welcoming and comfortable reception area with clear signage for easy wayfinding. Privacy and confidentiality are paramount, achieved through soundproofing and privacy screens. Accessibility for all patients, including those with disabilities and aging populations, is critical. Acoustic privacy is a critical consideration in the design of a family medicine clinic, ensuring that patients and medical professionals can have confidential conversations without the risk of being overheard.

The incorporation of daylighting in the design of a family medicine clinic is a vital aspect of creating a welcoming and patient-friendly environment. To engage patients and foster a sense of community, information displays, feedback mechanisms, and sustainability practices are encouraged. Cultural sensitivity, community engagement, and regular feedback are fundamental components of creating an exemplary family medicine clinic experience.
Parkview Physicians Group Twin Creeks Cove Lobby

 

Clinic Configuration Models 

There are several primary models for the configuration of the core clinical exam area or “pod”. From these models, there are variations on each depending on the desired patient experience and specific goals and needs of the provider teams, staffing strategy and desired workflow. It is important to understand the options and know which option fits your patients and staff best. To cut through the noise and find the layout that best supports the unique care experience you provide patients, start by understanding your staffing today and tomorrow and design to support efficiency and collaboration.

 

 
Parkview Physicians Group Electric Works Clinic Patient Care - Exam Room

The Exam Room– Where It All Happens

Designing a family medicine clinic, particularly the exam rooms, involves careful planning to create a comfortable and functional environment for both patients and healthcare providers. It’s essential to collaborate with healthcare professionals, interior designers, and architects to ensure that the design of exam rooms meets the specific needs of the family medicine clinic and complies with local regulations and healthcare standards. Regularly evaluate and update the design as medical practices and technologies evolve.
Parkview Physicians Group Electric Works Clinic Patient Care - Exam Room

 

Other Considerations

Other elements to consider when creating a patient-centric experience include ancillary and support spaces such as labs, imaging, pharmacy, procedure rooms, and more, as well as behavioral health integration and the evolution of telehealth. These are all important to include in strategy and planning discussions as we aim to design and create a patient-centric healthcare experience.

 

 

In summary, primary care physician clinics can enhance the patient experience by focusing on patient-centered care, adopting digital solutions, and valuing patient feedback.

Continuous improvement is key, and gathering patient insights through feedback mechanisms enables clinics to adapt and implement changes that directly address patient concerns and preferences. By taking steps to improve the foundations of primary care physician clinics, patients and providers will have successful, positive healthcare experiences.

Explore the full guide for patient-first medicine family clinics here.​

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