Designing a Specialist Clinic That Enhances Mental Health Support for Patients And Doctors
Introduction
Stephanie Liddiecoat’s 2020 [1] study into the influence that the design of a clinic has on treatment outcomes in the mental health space found that “Waiting areas in healthcare settings play an important role in reassuring or potentially further distressing service users.”
A well-designed Psychiatry clinic can have a profound impact on patients’ mental well-being, influencing their overall experience and the effectiveness of mental health interventions. Furthermore, at Robina Specialist Suites we believe in the positive impact a well designed clinic can have on our doctor’s mental health and subsequent productivity [2]. While the set up costs require more thought and financial investment, it was clear to us that this investment would reap rewards throughout the life of the business affecting every doctor, patient and staff member.
Creating a Calming Atmosphere
It has been well established that it is important to create a calming and welcoming environment in medical clinics [3]. This is especially true for specialist clinics, where patients may be especially anxious about the importance and outcome of their appointment. Aesthetically pleasing and comfortable spaces can help reduce anxiety and stress, contributing to a more positive experience for patients. In order to achieve this we invested heavily in premium fixtures choosing soft colours, soothing artwork, relaxing music and comfortable furniture to create that calming atmosphere.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Privacy is paramount in mental health treatment [4]. There is nothing worse than going to a medical clinic where patients can hear the discussions occurring from the waiting room or consulting room next door. In order to provide effective treatment a Psychiatrist must be able to engage with a patient and build trust. We believe strongly in supporting our practitioners by eliminating any potential barriers to their ability to perform their duties. From the outset one element of this was to ensure patients feel comfortable that the information they provide remains private. Our consulting rooms have been designed with special consideration to sound proofing. When we consulted with our design team, we explored our options and invested in soundproofing measures that ensure privacy and confidentiality during consultations.
Natural Light
Having spent a lot of my career assigned to offices with four walls and a door I can personally attest to how draining it is to work long hours in an environment devoid of any natural light. We spent a lot of time scouring potential sites to find one that could provide natural light to each of our consulting rooms, believing strongly that this would help keep our clinicians invigorated and eliminate feelings of isolation and monotony. Access to natural light and greenery creates a more therapeutic environment, promoting mental well-being which is important not just for our clinicians, but equally for their patients. Each of our rooms has large windows looking out onto the outside world, with blinds to maintain privacy but still provide outlooking vision and light.
Flexible and Inclusive Spaces
Mental health clinics often cater to a diverse range of needs, requiring flexibility in design. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists [5] emphasises the importance of creating inclusive spaces that accommodate individuals with varying mental health and physical conditions. We have carefully used space generously and procured high quality furniture to accommodate individuals with special needs.
Technology Integration for Enhanced Care
As a new clinic, we recognised the opportunity to be at the forefront in technological implementation to assist our Specialists and Psychiatrists. Throughout the design process we considered the IT requirements of our clinicians and how we could incorporate technology to streamline their workflows. We have invested in high quality and reliable IT systems and infrastructure. We have trialled and partnered with the best medical software companies. All of our consulting rooms have telehealth facilities available for our practitioners.
Collaborative Spaces for Holistic Care
Psychiatrists are often collaborating with other healthcare professionals from a variety of fields. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency emphasises a collaborative approach to mental health care [6]. Well-designed clinic spaces should include collaborative areas where professionals from various disciplines can work together, fostering a holistic and integrated approach to mental health treatment. In our Specialist Clinic all of our rooms have been designed for multi-purpose use. We have several rooms dedicated to examinations with patient beds, gowns, privacy screens and sinks aimed at attracting complimentary specialists.
Conclusion
A well-designed Psychiatry clinic is more than just a physical space; it is a vital component of the therapeutic journey. By creating a calming atmosphere, prioritizing privacy, integrating natural elements, ensuring flexibility, embracing technology, and fostering collaboration, our clinic can significantly enhance the support and care provided to individuals facing medical challenges. We have researched extensively and carefully considered the design of our clinic to ensure it contributes to a more compassionate and effective support system for both our patients and our doctors.
There’s no doubt working out of Robina Specialist Suites is a pleasure for Specialists. We have consulting and examination rooms available on a sessional basis. Get in touch today.
[1] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1937586720904805
[2] https://anzmh.asn.au/blog/the-impact-of-poor-office-design-on-your-mental-health
[3] https://www.archdaily.com/1011940/designing-care-the-importance-of-humanization-in-healthcare-spaces
[4] https://psychology.org.au/getmedia/d873e0db-7490-46de-bb57-c31bb1553025/aps-code-of-ethics.pdf
[6] https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Code-of-conduct/Shared-Code-of-conduct.aspx
