How your practice design contributes to your success

Your professionalism, confidence and success are not only determined by who you are as a person and therapist but also by your way of working and even by your workplace, which is of course your practice. One aspect that is often overlooked, but nevertheless crucial in the success and professional look and feel of your practice, is its interior design. Laura Rijkhold Meesters, a healthcare professional and passionate interior designer specializing in primary healthcare is more than happy to divulge all the ins and outs of good healthcare interior design. And, with three clear tips, Laura explains what makes good physiotherapy equipment indispensable.

Laura Rijkhold Meesters, interior designer specializing in primary healthcare

Laura worked as a general interior designer for nine years, but the big projects she worked on during her time as a general interior designer lacked passion and inspiration. Having always been interested in healthcare, Laura enrolled in a dual HBO-V course. She was immediately convinced of the power of working in healthcare, but, while working in a hospital, ran into all sorts of things. Laura recounts:

 "Sometimes I would be literally running into things, leaving me covered in bruises. But also figuratively, for instance due to lack of storage space for rollators or an illogical placement of the notice board at the headboard of a patient’s bed. All of these things can be easily improved, I thought."

Her out-of-the-box thinking, however, did not fit into a traditional protocol-based hospital. Which is why Laura switched career paths once more and now enjoys assisting professionals in primary healthcare with interior design.

 

The importance of good interior design

Your furnishings, your colour scheme and specific materials used in your practice should always boost the vision you have of yourself as a physiotherapist. That overall look contributes to how professional you come across to your patients. Laura explains it aptly:

"If your waiting room is dark and shabby, a stack of old magazines is lying around and a painting is hanging crookedly on the wall, your patient is bound to start doubting (whether it being consciously or unconsciously) your competence, A good interior design not only reassures your patient but also takes away any aggression and fear and influences how they experience your treatment. Furthermore, a great design ensures a good workflow, improves job satisfaction makes your work even easier."

Thoughtful interior design does so much more than just improve your practice’s appearance. It creates a sense of calmness, overview and efficiency, not to mention the pleasure it adds to your work. All in all, an appropriate practice design contributes to a positive patient experience and your own well-being as a therapist; two important ingredients for a successful practice.

 

Key interior themes for patients

Even though Laura is hired by the practice owner or physiotherapist and not by the patient, it is of course the patient who indirectly determines the success of a practice. That is why Laura chooses to look through the patient's eyes in all of her designs and always takes a seat in the waiting room. This approach allows her to have a good look around and talk to patients, so she knows exactly which elements catch their eye and are appreciated by them.

Patients appear to value the following four aspects in particular:

• Accessibility

• Personality

• Professional presentation

• Pleasant lighting

Laura is happy to explain those aspects in more detail:

"First and foremost, the practice must be accessible. Patients should be able to enter easily with their rollator, mobility scooter or on their crutches. And, it would appear that they like to be greeted by someone behind the counter when they enter, that way they feel seen. The waiting room should be presentable and exude your vision. This is where a patient waits, looks around and determines whether the overall picture of your practice’s appearance, your treatment and the promises you made all fit together seamlessly. Finally, the lighting in your practice should be appropriate in terms of strength and positioning. Not surprisingly; patients do not like it when they’re lying on your treatment table and the light shines directly into their eyes. All useful tips and tricks to consider as a therapist."

 

The requirements for an ideal treatment room: functional and atmospheric

The ideal treatment room should be functional, but also atmospheric. The functional aspect is mainly there for you as a therapist, ensuring you have a good workflow. While you’re considering the movability of your treatment couch and the accessibility of your materials, your patient mainly cares about the atmosphere in the treatment room. Laura says about this:

 "The atmosphere of your treatment room is determined by its tranquillity, in the broadest sense of the word. Think of aspects like the acoustics, the colours and the amount of stuff on display. In addition, your treatment room should also feel safe. With a curtain or a simple lock on the door, you can easily ensure that no one can just drop in when your patient is undressed."

Tip from Laura

Does your practice consist of more than one treatment room? Keep the layout of those rooms similar and arrange all the cabinets in a similar way. This creates a sense of calmness and tranquillity, making your treatments more efficient while simultaneously leaving more time for treatments and for patients.

 

The most successful materials, colours and layouts

The best colours for your practice are easily recognisable colours. This is because a uniform appearance throughout your practice is crucial. Keep in mind that one colour is not necessarily better than another, although it might be better to refrain from colours with negative associations, such as blood red.

Has the time come to purchase (new) materials for your physiotherapy practice? If so, keep in mind Laura’s three tips:

• Choose materials that can take a beating and can keep up with intensive use

• Choose materials that are easy to use and easy to clean

• Don't skimp on materials and treatment tables. Good materials are the root of good care.

For a successful layout of your practice, Laura adds, it comes down to the small things. For example, some treatment rooms are not equipped with a chair for the patient to sit on. In said situation, during an anamnesis, the patient has no other option than to take a seat on the treatment table. Laura:

"There is nothing more uncomfortable than having to sit on the treatment table for that conversation. Active sitting hinders a patient’s relaxation and can be physically demanding. And now that we’re on the topic of treatment tables: pick one that doesn't squeak or creak. On a nice, firm table, your patient feels supported, which in turn provides indispensable relaxation."

 

What is the best treatment table?

The best treatment table is one that suits you and all of your needs. But don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Everything has to fit together seamlessly, from your practice to your website, from your waiting room and your treatment room to your treatment table. Laura explains:

"If you claim to be a progressive physiotherapist with cutting-edge treatments and tools but you treat your patients on a rickety, worn-down treatment couch, your vision is failing in the biggest way. With a treatment table that matches your vision, you can increase patient confidence, which contributes to a better overall experience."

Fortunately, nowadays it is a piece of cake to match your treatment couch to your vision. You now have ample options, from choosing a hyper-modern treatment table with innovative functionalities, to selecting a specific type of upholstery or matching your treatment table’s colour to your practice’s colour scheme.

Did you know that at Gymna you can fully customise your treatment bench (and choose between 12 available colours) according to your needs?

 

Wondering how to make your practice even better?

So, to summarize, a good interior design for a healthcare practice focuses on the therapist as well as on the patient while simultaneously creating a greater workflow and improving patients’ experience. Thanks to Laura, we now know which specific interior design elements -from waiting room to treatment couch- can elevate your professionalism and therefore your success as well.

Would you like more information about Gymna treatment tables and their many possibilities? If so, please feel free to contact us at https://gymna.com/en/contact.

Did Laura awaken the designer in you and are you curious to know if and how she could help you? Then take a look at her website www.zorgvoorruimte.nl or contact her directly by phone (+31 6 16 50 57 80) or by e-mail (info@zorgvoorruimte.nl ).