The design of your medical office isn’t just an aesthetic one – it’s a strategic one that can improve patient satisfaction, staff efficiency, and overall practice growth. Whether you’re considering renovating your existing space or moving into a new space altogether, here are some medical office design practices to consider.
A Welcoming Reception Area
Your reception area is the first point of contact for your patients – and making the right impression matters. Your reception area should maximize efficiency, be clean and inspiring, and feel warm, professional, and respectful. Thoughtful lighting, comfortable and varied seating, and greenery and art can go a long way to nurturing the right feeling among your patients. Your office is subject to specific ADA and regulatory guidance, so keep this in mind when designing.
A Focus on Privacy
Visiting a medical professional can be a vulnerable experience. Your medical office should ensure privacy through factors such as soundproofed walls, thoughtful positioning of doors and windows, restricted access areas, and partitioning throughout the space. In certain types of practices, a discreet entrance and parking can also help ensure privacy. If you provide telehealth care, ensure that calls can be placed in an area that protects your patient’s privacy.
Natural Light and Greenery
Natural light boosts everything from well-being to productivity. Design your medical office space to embrace natural light via windows and skylights, and bring in greenery wherever possible. Plants, vertical garden walls, and small pocket gardens and parks around your office can help create an inviting, welcoming space for staff and patients alike.
Clear and Effective Signage
Being able to easily navigate your medical office is key for patients, staff, and vendors, with a single “loop” being the foot traffic goal for most medical office buildings. To achieve this, invest in clear and visible signage, and consider adding directional options to help people find their way around your space – especially if the space is a large one with multiple areas. Color coding, naming systems, arrows, and maps can all help reduce friction.
Make the Most of Tech
Technology makes life easier for you, your staff, and your patients. If you’re still working with paper files, upgrade to a digital system. Invest in digital scheduling and communications platforms, and consider whether digital patient portals are a good fit for your practice. The right implementation can dramatically improve efficiency, communications, billing, and scheduling.
Consider Staff Workflows
Before you redesign your medical office space, talk to your staff about how they use your space on a daily basis, and what preferences and needs should be taken into consideration. For example, does your team spend valuable time moving back and forth between specific areas? Can vendors access your space without having to pass through the waiting area? Think about how you can maximize efficiency and comfort while also protecting privacy and your brand promise.
A Mindful Color Palette
Color psychology is a field of study that explores how different color combinations affect mood and shape experiences. When designing your space, consider the mood you want to evoke or the experience you wish to create and choose your color palette accordingly. Think beyond paint colors and explore how furniture and decor color combinations can help create the desired mood for your space.
Sustainable, Efficient Design
Healthy buildings and healthy people go hand in hand. When considering a new space – or preparing to revamp an existing one – explore green building principles such as those outlined by the U.S. Green Building Council, or seek out buildings that are currently LEED Certified. You’ll benefit from a healthy, efficient space that’s great to work in while offering cost-saving perks as well.
Medical Office Design Questions? Talk to the Experts at GZ!
Whether you’re looking for a new space aligned with medical office design best practices, or want to negotiate tenant improvements when you renew your lease, talk to the medical real estate experts at GZ Realty. With over three decades of experience connecting medical professionals with the right spaces, we can help ensure that your office checks every box.