Healthcare Design - September 2023 - 47

the center
ADVERTISERS' INDEX
KEEPING PACE
BIAMP ................................................................. 14
Carolina ................................................................ 1
Center for Health Design......................................... 38
Convergent Technologies Design Group .................... 44
EFA Conference + Expo.......................................... 42
HCD Conference + Expo ........................................ 17
HealthPoint .......................................................... 31
Krug ................................................................... 29
Kwalu .................................................................C2
La-Z-Boy Healthcare | Knú Comfort ...........................C4
Mannington Commercial .......................................... 5
Moduform .............................................................. 7
modularArts .......................................................... 45
OM Seating ......................................................... 10
QuietRock by PABCO Gypsum ................................C3
Pineapple Contracts ................................................. 2
Roppe .................................................................. 8
SeniorLivingPoint ................................................... 41
Sherwin-Williams .................................................. 13
Sherwood Windows .............................................. 15
The index to advertiser page numbers is published for
reader convenience. Every effort is made to list page
numbers correctly. The listing is not part of the advertising
contract and the publisher is not responsible for errors or
omissions.
The design sector needs to stay focused on patient and clinical
needs while adapting to technology and science advancements
impacting the healthcare landscape By Debra Levin
O
N THE RECOMMENDATION
of a board member, I recently
read " Homo Deus: A
Brief History of Tomorrow. "
Written by Yuval Noah Harari,
it explores the future
of humankind and the possible
trajectories of human
evolution in the 21st century. It's a fascinating
read, filled with predictions that will stimulate
your own thoughts about their impact on our
healthcare system and, in turn, on our industry.
Published in 2015, it's especially interesting to
read it through our 2023 lens, as we are already
seeing glimmers of some of the advances the
author foresees.
The premise of " Homo Deus " is that with
the advancements in science, technology, and
artificial intelligence (AI), humans will gain
increasing control over their biological and
cognitive processes, striving to overcome the
limitations of mortality, suffering, and ignorance.
We will transition, Harari argues, from
being Homo sapiens ( " wise humans " ) to a new
species called Homo Deus ( " god-like humans " ).
Though the concept of " god-like humans "
might seem far afield, wearable technologies,
genetic mapping, and advances in biotechnology
are already moving us in that direction. How
might the healthcare delivery system and care
environments change in response? The book
suggests that the healthcare landscape is likely
to undergo significant transformations, and, in
turn, our healthcare systems will need to change
in equal measure. Here are some of the more salient
potential implications:
1. Preventive medicine and personalized
healthcare-With advancements in biotechnology
and genomics, healthcare may shift
toward a more proactive approach. Instead of
primarily treating diseases, the focus may shift
to preventing them. Personalized medicine, tailored
to an individual's unique genetic makeup,
could become more prevalent.
2. Enhancement technologies-As humans
seek to transcend their biological limitations,
we could see a rise in the use of enhancement
technologies, such as genetic engineering, cognitive
enhancements, or the merging of humans
with AI. Healthcare systems may need to adapt
to accommodate these new technologies.
3. Data-driven healthcare-The increasing
availability of health data, coupled with
advancements in AI, will revolutionize healthcare.
Predictive analytics and machine learning
algorithms could assist in early disease detection,
treatment recommendations, and personalized
health monitoring.
4. Inequality and access-The book raises
concerns about the potential exacerbation of inequality
in healthcare. If enhancements and advanced
medical technologies become available
only to the privileged few, it could widen the gap
between those who can afford such treatments
and those who cannot. Ensuring equitable access
to healthcare becomes a crucial challenge.
These potential advancements could have
several implications on the design of our healthcare
institutions. For example, as healthcare
becomes more data-driven and reliant on technology,
facilities will need to incorporate more
advanced digital infrastructures to enable
seamless technological integration. This could
involve integrating electronic health record systems,
telemedicine capabilities, and smart devices
for monitoring patients.
Of course, the types and extent of specific
design changes will depend on the pace of technological
progress, regulatory frameworks,
and the priorities of healthcare organizations.
In the end, though, the ultimate goals for quality
healthcare design will not change: creating
environments that optimize patient care, support
healthcare providers, and adapt to emerging
trends and innovations in the healthcare
industry. 
Debra Levin is president and CEO of The Center
for Health Design. She can be reached at DLEVIN@
HEALTHDESIGN.ORG .
SEP TEMBER 2023
47
Healthcare Design - September 2023

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