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This is the question I asked myself after talking with Tammy Thompson, Director of the Institute for Patient-Centered Design. Thompson's Institute is holding it's first ever Patient-Centered Design Innovation Summit, September 27-29 in Charleston, S.C.

But it's not just another healthcare design meeting. Thompson says the intent is to bring together a diverse group of people representing health facilities, patients, design and construction, academia, and product manufacturing to explore new solutions for healthcare environments.

There will be no lecture-style sessions.  Instead, attendees will interact and talk about issues in a framed, organized format. Among other things, the agenda includes spending a day in the simulation center at the Medical University of South Carolina "kicking the tires" in ED, OR, ICU, LDRP, Med/Surg, and Ambulatory Care settings.

The idea, said Thompson, is "to create an environment where everyone has a voice and is able to contribute."

This is a fresh approach that is sorely needed in the healthcare design industry. Especially for middle to senior level professionals. I can't tell you how many times a design firm principal has said to me that there are very few new ideas presented at big industry conferences.

Well, okay.  There are plenty of people that do learn things at big industry conferences.  And there's that networking thing.  But, if we're stuck in the status-quo, then perhaps smaller events such as the Patient-Centered Design Innovation Summit (target attendance is 200), can help some of those new ideas percolate.

Having conducted several Roundtable Discussions at the Healthcare Design conference, I can say that it can be hard to break away from the traditional lecture format and get people to talk and share. You have to have the right topic and be a skilled facilitator. And not have a bunch of introverts in the room.

I'm confident that Thompson and her small band of volunteers can pull this off. The Institute is barely five years old, but has already produced two simulation labs and conducted interactive sessions about them in various locations. Like any small nonprofit, it has big ideas, limited resources, and a lot of passionate people behind it.

If a more interactive conference experience appeals to you, I encourage you to go to the Institute's website and check out the Patient-Centered Design Innovation Summit agenda and discussion topics. I might just see you there!

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Margaret Fleming

9 years ago

Must say again:
There is no patient-centered design without a patient in every room at a summit.

Marjorie Serrano

9 years ago

There will be patients & families in every room at the summit. Hope to see you all there!

Robin Orr

9 years ago

Appreciate the concern about having a "patient" in every room. I never really understood this mandate as I would guess those attending have either been a patient, loved one of a patient or felt the pain of a loved one dying. I would hope that we remember to dig deep into our own feelings to help shape innovation. Yes, listen with emathy to gain insight but don't forget that each of us have our own stories. Those are the most powerful.
Exciting conference...wish them good luck and great success!
Robin Orr
Past Executive Director
Plantree

Penny Martin, PhD, NP

9 years ago

I was asked to be a "thought leader" for this Summit and accepted in large part because it does hold the promise of being a different sort of conference. I am very much looking forward to sharing and learning in this interactive setting. I hope you will join us. See you there!

Tammy Thompson

9 years ago

Thanks Sara for raising awareness of this issue. I can’t tell you how much excitement we have received from the healthcare profession about this summit. They “light up” when they hear that we as designers actually want to hear from them, as clinicians, patient navigators and such. Instead of presenting a slideshow to each other about our work on healthcare projects, we will be working hand in hand with user groups to develop new solutions. Thought leaders like Penny will be on each team to keep the discussions active and share their experiences. The Facility Guidelines Institute will be in on each track so we can be sure that ideas born here will have the momentum to live on past the summit. This is an exciting time for all of us!

Sara Marberry

9 years ago

I'm glad to hear that excitement is building for this summit, Tammy! And glad to hear that FGI will be there gathering information to inform the guidelines.

Sara Marberry_013-Retouched-New copy

What's my story? I'm a healthcare and senior living design knowledge expert who writes and speaks frequently about trends and issues affecting these two industries. I'm also a strategic marketing consultant and content creator, working with companies and organizations who want to improve the quality of healthcare and senior living through the design of the physical environment. You can reach me at .

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