Thinking Allowed

Clinic room designs must fit care models | Canadian Healthcare Network

"Innovative clinic room design can (and should) advance the practice of collaborative thinking and decision-making in medicine by abolishing the "doctor behind the desk" phenomenon. The round table makes an appearance in rare instances of new clinic design, but could become a standard with some clinician advocacy—at least three chairs around it, all of equal design (sturdy, with arm rests). Reminiscent of the Arthurian legend around which knights congregated, the implication was that everyone who sits there has equal status. A computer screen can be used to support the discussions, preferably mounted in a way to be referred to if needed or even retracted—but should not dominate or obstruct the physician-patient interaction."