Women-Centric Design in Healthcare
Planning and designing for healthcare poses challenges as there are stricter regulatory requirements and unique operational needs. Designers and architects not only have to keep these in mind, but they also have to design for people, taking into account human factors. These factors are, unsurprisingly, different between men and women.
For generations, the approach to women’s healthcare wasn’t very different from men’s. Healthcare and the facilities in which it functions were historically designed by men with men in mind. Today, healthcare providers care for women, and their particular healthcare needs with a women-centric approach. This means healthcare is changing, and architects and interior designers are noticing.
How does a women-centric approach to healthcare impact design?
Women-centric often means family-centric.
Women are overwhelmingly the caregivers in their families. As a result, they are far more likely than their male counterparts to bring other people to their appointments. That often means small children or even older family members. Interior designers are thinking of this when they design waiting rooms that accommodate more people or include a play area.
Privacy needs can look different.
The need for privacy is often about more than modesty in women’s health. Many women want privacy for memorable or intimate experiences such as breast or bottle-feeding their new baby for the first time. Conversely, they may also need privacy for grieving after experiencing a loss. Privacy also helps women feel physically safe. This is especially important for women who have experienced violence or trauma.
Inclusivity begins with design.
Designing a space that reflects the community it serves inspires a sense of trust in an environment. Designers can help make a connection to a community by incorporating work from local artists or using imagery that speaks to a location, such as a pattern featuring a nautical motif for a coastal town. People also feel like they belong in a space where choices have been made, including all body types, such as different furniture sizes in waiting and exam rooms. Also, consider the needs of those who identify as women so they don’t feel they are being treated unequally.
Embracing design elements of hospitality.
When people feel comfortable in a space, they have a better experience. In the case of health care, hopefully, that leads to better health outcomes. Incorporating elements inspired by hospitality design into healthcare environments makes patients and staff feel more relaxed and comfortable. This can include choosing comfortable furniture in soothing patterns for waiting areas and exam rooms, considering calming color palettes, and choosing soft materials.
Flexibility is important.
Adaptability is essential in all areas of healthcare, not just women’s health. Adapting a space to accommodate a changing situation has become even more critical after the COVID-19 pandemic.
KwickScreen Pro with Design Pool pattern for ultimate flexibility
At its core, KwickScreen’s mission is to provide every patient with a hygienic space. Poor hygiene propagates infection and it is up to healthcare providers to maintain high standards and provide a safe space for patients. The hallmark of hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic was personal protective equipment or PPE for short. But what people often don’t realize is that PPE is primarily designed for men.
Inequalities in healthcare design: PPE
The Women in Global Health (WGH) report ‘Fit For Women: Safe PPE for Women Health Workers’ highlights the disparity in the design of PPE. PPE is primarily designed for men, despite women making up 70% of global frontline healthcare workers.
The design of PPE fails to consider the diversity among women, including differences in body and face shapes and the use of different headdresses. Some PPE overalls present a challenge as they cannot be easily removed for women to use the toilet without being discarded, leading to discomfort and a loss of dignity.
Ill-fitting PPE is proven to increase health risks and mental distress, exposing women to infections. In their linked survey (2021) Women in Global Health reported that only 14% of female healthcare workers had properly fitted PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. The WGH report urges comprehensive action, including gender-responsive standards, global governance, product redesigns, and employer engagement to meet healthcare workers' PPE needs. More women need to be involved in all the above stages to bring their knowledge and personal experience, to ultimately make a difference and tackle underlying gender inequities in the healthcare workforce.
As designers, it’s important to take all end users into account and design for the individual. Many women are anxious when inhabiting a healthcare facility and by making thoughtful choices and putting women’s unique needs at the forefront of the design process, you can foster an overall better experience.
Sources
https://www.dirtt.com/insights/how-to-design-healthcare-facilities-to-meet-women-s-needs/
https://www.eapc.net/2023/11/03/a-woman-centered-approach-to-healthcare-design/
https://www.frog.co/designmind/three-approaches-to-womens-healthcare-design
https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/311322
https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o940.long
https://womeningh.org/our-advocacy-3/fitforwomenreport/
Recommended Reading
Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
Author Bios
Kristin Crane is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Design Pool, the only online pattern library created exclusively for interior designers. Based in Rhode Island, in the United States, she writes about textile design and digital printing for Design Pool.
For Kristin, International Women’s Day is a day to pause and think about what she can do in her work to help make the path smoother, easier, and more fun for the women and girls behind her. It is also a day to be inspired by women who have found their own definition of joy and success in their lives and work.
Orlagh Flanagan is the Marketing Manager for KwickScreen, dedicated to giving every patient a hygienic space. Based in London, in the United Kingdom, she creates written and video content covering all things KwickScreen.
For Orlagh, International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate and appreciate the successes of inspirational women in both my personal and professional spheres. It is also a day to remind women and girls to dream big and grab onto their goals with both hands.
Imogen Guss-Renton, based in London, in the United Kingdom, is a Research and Development Engineer at KwickScreen. Collaborating with both designers and engineers, she focuses on enhancing healthcare spaces through innovative KwickScreen solutions.
For Imogen, International Women’s Day is a day where I take a moment to celebrate the strength and resilience of the women who inspire and support me. The day helps to prompt and emphasise the need for conversations about women’s rights, ensuring continuous learning and advocating for equality in all aspects of life.