{"id":24983,"date":"2025-06-07T11:24:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T11:24:12","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","slug":"future-trends-in-healthcare-design-adapting-pact-spaces-to-support-innovative-care-delivery-methods-like-telehealth-and-shared-appointments-4121700","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simbo.ai\/blog\/future-trends-in-healthcare-design-adapting-pact-spaces-to-support-innovative-care-delivery-methods-like-telehealth-and-shared-appointments-4121700\/","title":{"rendered":"Future Trends in Healthcare Design: Adapting PACT Spaces to Support Innovative Care Delivery Methods Like Telehealth and Shared Appointments"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the changing world of healthcare, patient-centered care has prompted important changes in design and operations. One key development is the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model, adopted by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) since 2010. PACT works to enhance primary care by improving patient experiences, ensuring clinical quality and safety, and increasing operational efficiency. As the healthcare system deals with issues like an aging population and rising healthcare demands, it is crucial for medical practice administrators, owners, and IT managers to stay alert and proactive in adjusting healthcare design to meet future delivery methods.<\/p>\n

The PACT Model’s Impact on Healthcare Design<\/h2>\n

The PACT model signifies a shift towards integrated team-based care, focusing on collaboration among healthcare professionals. By promoting close communication, PACT has significantly influenced the design of healthcare facilities, leading to the co-location of staff. When team members are near each other, collaboration improves and workflows are streamlined, creating a supportive atmosphere. This model employs a dual-corridor design that separates patient and staff areas, enhancing both patient privacy and staff efficiency.<\/p>\n

One central design goal within the PACT framework is to create a calming and healing environment. Healthcare spaces need to reduce wait times and support effective patient care flows. Additionally, the design should be flexible enough to accommodate various care methods, including telehealth and shared medical appointments, which have become more relevant due to recent global health challenges.<\/p>\n

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Embracing Telehealth and Shared Medical Appointments<\/h2>\n

Telehealth saw increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating its ability to improve access to care and ensure continuity during difficult times. The PACT model encourages healthcare organizations to adopt telehealth options by designing universal exam and procedure rooms for remote consultations. These adaptable spaces lessen the need for in-person visits, improving access to treatment, especially for veterans and patients in rural areas.<\/p>\n

Shared medical appointments are another innovation within the PACT model. They enable multiple patients with similar conditions to receive care simultaneously from a healthcare team, improving communication, education, and overall patient experience. Design considerations are necessary for these shared appointments, as they need additional space, privacy measures, and support for patient interaction. Creating flexible waiting areas and multipurpose clinical spaces can help implement shared medical appointments while accommodating various care types.<\/p>\n

Key Design Objectives for Modern Healthcare Spaces<\/h2>\n

The design of healthcare facilities should meet essential objectives that enhance patient-centered care delivery. Core design considerations include:<\/p>\n