Here’s an idea to think about.
What do you feel when you go into a health care facility? I mean by that a clinic, a GP’s Practice premises, a hospital, or anywhere else which comes under the label of “health service”?
Fear?
Anxiety?
Trepidation?
Despair?
Irritation?
Lost and alone?
Confused?
Helpless?
You are probably going to that health care facility to seek better health. Do you think any of those feelings or experiences are conducive to creating better health?
What if when you went to a health care facility you felt –
Safe?
Welcome?
Cared for?
Happy?
Empowered?
Do you think that would be more conducive to health?
I do.
So, why don’t we build the new health services around what creates better health? Why don’t we create places where you feel a little lighter in your heart, a little happier, a little stronger, when you are there? Why don’t we create health care where you feel heard, seen, cared for? Where you feel loved even?
Is that too radically different from what we have?
Is there an argument for continuing to create health services which are associated with fear and helplessness?
Of course, I know a place is both the physical built environment, and the human one created by the people who work there. I’m not just thinking about building design, I’m thinking about the people who work there….are they happy? Are they feeling valued? Are they passionate about caring for you?
I think health care has become way too utilitarian. It’s build around a mechanical/factory model of processes and products. What if we designed it around human beings instead?
What would it look like?
So, here’s my idea for today – describe the kind of health care you’d like to see – in terms of buildings, people, values, behaviours, whatever you think is relevant – and ask yourself how what you describe might contribute towards better health. Or do you think these things should be left to other people to think about? And if so, who do you want to think about it for you?
Heroes Not Zombies 
Oddly enough, I can get bad dreams of being like an experiment rat after seeing mainstream medical care – ugh! I very much like nature and vital energy and not the impersonal sterility that happens. Specifics depend on the practice (and the people and healing substances involved).
Oh I wish! I see gardens, entrance through gardens. Poetry on the walls but not cliched and trite, honest and human. Singing, the chance to sing. I would want to put compassion and kindness at the heart of the whole thing, for staff too, to see each other, to be able to treat each other with kindness, to go a bit more slowly. I feel so emotional writing this as I can see it but don’t believe it is possible, but perhaps it still is?
Thank you! I love your vision! Tell you one thing…..if we don’t dream it, we won’t envision it, and if we don’t envision it, we won’t create it. Keep dreaming! Keep envisioning! Keep sharing!
Your thoughts are a breath of fresh air. I’ve just been writing about my experience of meeting ‘Dr Nocebo’ three years ago. How different health care could be if compassionate wisdom prevailed. Thank you for your thoughtful and uplifting post.