Designing Telehealth Spaces

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, there was a growing interest in telemedicine. For example, a 2017 survey found that telemedicine use rose from 54 percent in 2014 to 71 percent in 2017. The pandemic has only caused telemedicine to grow even faster as a way to promote social distancing. 

After her first virtual visit, healthcare blogger Sara Mayberry looks at telehealth from both the design and physician’s perspectives. Mayberry uses a brief on Virtual Care from The Center for Health Design to explore design best practices. 

There are eight areas designers should focus on when carving out space in a facility for virtual visits, many of which need the partnership of a facility manager. These include acoustics, lighting, interior surfaces and more. 

For example, when designating space for telemedicine, acoustics play a huge role as space needs to avoid echo and background noise. Rooms near busy corridors, stairwells, parking lots, restrooms and HVAC need to be avoided. Facility managers will need to consider ceiling tiles, flooring and walls that help improve sound quality. 

To learn more about all eight design keys, click here.