The Architecture of Future Healthcare Environments

Healthcare provision is constantly evolving due to advancements in medical science, changes in patient demographics, and emerging challenges. The integration of digital health technologies and virtual care models is essential for delivering high-quality patient-centred care. These innovations utilize data-driven insights to improve clinical pathways, empower patients, enhance outcomes and access, and reduce disparities.

Research has demonstrated that digital health technologies and virtual care models improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. For instance, telemedicine enhances access to care for remote and elderly patients, leading to timely interventions and better health management. Technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs), remote monitoring devices, and mobile health applications facilitate patient engagement and chronic disease management, reducing hospital readmissions and emergency visits. Virtual care models also increase patient satisfaction due to their convenience.

In addition to that, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and medical imaging (MI) are expected to improve patient care, clinical procedures, and diagnostic accuracy, leading to data-driven healthcare and personalized medicine. Despite the transformative potential of AI, ML, and big data analytics in healthcare, their integration into facility designs remains under-explored. 

The design of healthcare buildings significantly impacts patient outcomes by influencing care quality, satisfaction, and system efficiency. As medical technology advances, it is crucial to incorporate digital health technologies into healthcare facility design to ensure adaptability and resilience to future challenges such as pandemics. Current practices lack comprehensive guidelines for the necessary infrastructure and architectural requirements. Therefore, this research project aims to investigate “How can healthcare buildings be designed to effectively integrate digital health technologies and virtual care models?”

For informal enquiries, please email Dr Amna Shibeika a.shibeka@reading.ac.uk

Eligibility requirements:

Candidates should have a first class or 2.1 (Hons) degree, or Masters degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject.