What a Future Medical Waiting Room Will Look Like
Amenities like technology-friendly waiting room furniture and an open “Starbucks-type” look will become more and more important.
Minneapolis, MN—With healthcare spending forecast to grow by $2 trillion within the next 10 years, transformational technology coupled with a busy younger generation and aging population means that healthcare real estate spaces will undergo a dramatic makeover.
“Your doctor’s office, for example, may soon resemble your neighborhood bookstore or coffee shop instead of your typical “doc in a box” office. Spaces will be more dynamic mainly because of technology,” says David Wilson, Vice President of Real Estate Development, Ryan Companies, US, Inc.
Overall, there will be a lot more open spaces, more windows, less closed doors, more charging stations, tablets and kiosk registrations, Wilson tells GlobeSt.com. The physician’s waiting room will now help keep the patient calm and informed about the latest in healthcare news, and boost the patient’s sense of well-being.
“Waiting rooms and reception areas will face heightened traffic and will respond by creating a more customer-friendly experience. Competition over these new patients will naturally increase as well and so amenities like technology-friendly waiting room furniture, and a “Starbucks-type” look will become more and more important,” says Wilson. “Patients will be able to settle down at a table and access their electronic medical forms or peruse the latest research on wellness and medications.”
Some medical practices will also start offering 30-minute sessions focused on stress management techniques, yoga, acid reflux, youth sports injuries, etc. All sessions will be led by skilled in-house medical professionals.
“Consumer expectations are constantly changing and healthcare, as well as its real estate spaces, will have to change to fulfill the needs of the Gen X, Gen Y and millennial populations,” says Wilson.
Wilson also said that several companies such as CVS and Kaiser Permanente have developed health hubs where both convenience and care intersect for the overall care of the patient.
“If we think healthcare is convenient now, just wait a few more years and it’ll be even more convenient and at your fingertips,” forecasts Wilson. “Everyone is so busy now and has no time for long office waits. Convenience will be a bigger factor than it even is now.”