Significant advancements have recently been made in healthcare design, particularly in the UAE. This aligns with the country’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which aims to ensure that all aspects of design in healthcare contribute to overall well-being. Today, the focus on thoughtful, patient-centred healthcare design is more pertinent than ever.

Historically, outpatient departments were structured with doctors’ offices, where physicians faced patients from behind desks. This traditional setup created a physical barrier between doctor and patient, generally leading to more formal and less engaging interactions. Additionally, patients frequently experienced longer wait times due to inefficiently designed offices and isolated workflows.

Recent innovations in healthcare design have led to a reimagining of outpatient spaces. Instead of confining physicians to individual offices as in conventional office-based models, new designs prioritise flexibility and mobility, allowing physicians to move among patients rather than the reverse.

This modernised layout offers several significant benefits:

Reduced wait times: With modernised healthcare space layouts, multiple patient rooms can be prepared in advance, enabling physicians to see patients efficiently and minimising wait times.

Enhanced patient-provider interactions: Removing physical barriers like desks from outpatient spaces fosters a more personal and interactive relationship between the patient and healthcare provider.

Improved workflow efficiency: Centralised multidisciplinary staff areas, or ‘pods’, allow healthcare professionals to collaborate and document notes outside patient rooms. This setup facilitates quicker decision-making and enhances the overall care experience.

Aesthetic effects: Designing inpatient spaces to incorporate natural light and provide unobstructed views can improve aesthetic quality. Studies indicate that exposure to natural light can reduce patient stress, shorten recovery times, and improve overall satisfaction during hospital visits.

Designing for privacy and efficiency in IVF clinics

Another area where healthcare design plays a pivotal role is in specialised clinics, such as those for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The design of these spaces must carefully balance the need for privacy with the demand for clinical efficiency, creating an environment that supports both emotional well-being and optimal medical outcomes. Traditional setups often emphasise clinical efficiency at the expense of patient comfort, but modern designs now incorporate elements that cater to the emotional needs of patients undergoing fertility treatments – a critical factor in what can be a stressful and sensitive process.

Key considerations when designing IVF clinics

Private and calming spaces: The interiors of clinics should be designed to provide warm, calming environments, with private areas for confidential conversations between couples or individuals and their healthcare providers. This approach contrasts with the sterile and clinical appearance of the embryology labs, operating rooms, and cryostorage areas, ensuring a clear distinction between care spaces and technical areas.

Streamlining operations: To minimise errors and optimise efficiency, introducing windows between operating rooms and the IVF lab can be considered. This allows for seamless sample transfer. Additionally, outpatient areas should be organised to allow healthcare professionals easy access to patient rooms from a centralised station. This design ensures patient privacy while maximising the time doctors can dedicate to patient care.

Transparency in treatment: A large viewing window to the embryology lab can allow patients to observe the process, promoting transparency and reducing anxiety. This design element helps demystify the IVF procedure, fostering trust between patients and healthcare providers.

The impact on patient outcomes

The impact of these design innovations extends beyond aesthetics and convenience; they have a measurable influence on patient outcomes. In outpatient settings, more efficient layouts reduce stress for both patients and providers, leading to better diagnoses and treatment plans. In specialised clinics like IVF centres, thoughtful design enhances patient comfort, reduces the potential for errors, and fosters a positive patient experience – crucial factors in high-stakes treatments.

The design of healthcare spaces is integral to improving patient outcomes. Whether through reimagined outpatient departments or thoughtfully designed IVF clinics, the impact of well-considered architecture and interior design is profound. As the healthcare industry moves forward, continued innovation and adaptation in healthcare design will ensure that every element of these spaces contributes to enhancing the patient experience and care quality.

Amir H. Greiss is the Founder and CEO of SharpMinds Consulting Engineers.

This article is featured in the Arab Health 2025 magazine. Click here to discover more news and trends to elevate your business strategy.