Many healthcare clinics fail to capitalize on one of the primary components of the patient experience—design. This can relate to the overall facility design, the treatment room design space, or the design of the medical seating or exam tables. However, it’s been proven that there is a correlation between evidence-based design in facility planning and patient satisfaction. Design principles and ideal attributes may be used to send conscious and subconscious cues that will motivate staff, facilitate patient-centered care, and ultimately increase patient satisfaction.

Research shows that “healthcare has become a patient-centric, consumer-driven industry in which the provider must learn how to meet patient expectations and provide the right experiences that engage the consumer and nurture a lasting relationship. One of the major influences in the patient experience is the physical component of a practice environment.”

In our “DIY” (do it yourself) culture, where everyone is encouraged to “live their truth” and be their own person, modular designs are making a difference in healthcare spaces. Patients appreciate facilities that offer them customizable seating solutions.

What Is Modular Design, and How Does It Impact Medical Spaces?

One such approach is more commonly called “modular design,” which is defined as integrating or combining smaller parts to produce a complete product. Modular furniture (of any kind) is designed to be flexible for different tasks.

This description is also true for medical seating. For example, Champion’s TMM Collection can be used as a procedure chair, a transport device, or a stretcher. The key to successful modular design is threefold:

• Configurable for various uses
• Space-saving for multiple efficiencies
• Person-centric so patients feel valued

Personalized style appeals to our desire to be seen as unique, treated as special, and valued for who we are. And personalized style has gone beyond catwalks and into the healthcare industry, where patients are made to feel as if
their medical treatment—which includes seating and other clinical essentials—was made just for them, to meet their specific needs and cater to their specific situation.

For more information on this topic, read our blog “Versatile Medical Furniture Makes a Big Difference.”

Patients Want a Customizable Experience

In the fashion world, the mantra “look good, feel good” resonates. This same mantra could be applied to medical facilities—if the clinic looks good, the patients feel good. In other words, patients feel calmer during treatment, and they feel more confident in the care they will receive. What’s more, if patients feel good in these ways—lower stress, higher trust in their doctors—they tend to have better health outcomes too.

Clare Press, podcast host of Wardrobe Crisis, claims, “Personal style is a powerful tool for self-expression and
communicating your values.” This is true for the clothes and shoes we wear, and also for the style of our facility. When a patient walks inside the front door, what will they see? There’s never a second chance to make a first impression. The patient experience starts at the front door and continues throughout treatment. What values is your medical practice communicating?

More and more, healthcare professionals are taking notes from the hospitality industry and creating a person-centric experience for their patients. This is especially important in the United States, where Americans tend to value independence, individualism, and innovation.

Medical seating is no exception. Patients want to be able to customize their experience, whether that means convenient access to their electronic devices or the comfort of a chair that offers heat and massage. They also want to be able to enter and exit the chair on their own, if physically able, so chairs that are configurable with features like swing-away arms are preferred.

Appropriate seating is a critical component of patient care that can help improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, healthcare seating solutions are vital for ensuring the well-being of medical providers too. Modular seating that is ergonomic in design can prevent repetitive strain injuries among the medical team and caregivers, while also providingsafety and comfort for the patient.

Champion is leading the way when it comes to engineering medical seating that is both innovative and functional. We promote patient independence while also providing safety and optimizing workflows.

Consider the comfort, convenience, and accessibility of the Verō, which features a modular design that allows you to choose the exact configuration required to meet your specific needs.

Features include:

• Powered or Manual recline
• Swing-Away or Fixed Arms
• Dual Casters or Pedestal Feet
• Standard & XL Weight Capacity Sizes
• Heat + Massage

Browse our Digital Catalog to view our complete portfolio. For help deciding which products will best benefit your facility, contact us today.