Poor Design is a Public Health Problem—Here’s How to Fix It
In healthcare, the importance of high-quality treatment, skilled practitioners, and cutting-edge technology is well understood. But what if I told you that one of the most significant challenges in public health today doesn’t come from the medical field itself, but from design—or more accurately, poor design?
From crowded waiting rooms to confusing health apps, to medical devices that frustrate rather than help, poor design can have a serious impact on health outcomes. And it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a public health problem.
In this post, we’ll explore how bad design in healthcare and beyond directly affects our health, why we should care, and how prioritizing good design can promote wellbeing and environments that allow people to thrive.
Poor Design, Big Consequences
In the simplest terms, design is about creating solutions that make our lives easier, safer, and more efficient. When it’s done well, design can improve our daily experiences, create healing environments, and even save lives. But when design fails—especially in areas like healthcare—it can have devastating consequences.
1. Inefficiency in Healthcare Systems
One of the most glaring examples of poor design in public health is the inefficiency that plagues many healthcare systems. Hospitals and clinics, for example, are often poorly organized. Waiting areas can be overcrowded, patient flow can be chaotic, and signage can be unclear. This adds stress and frustration for patients and providers alike, reducing overall care quality and efficiency.
Patients who get lost in a hospital, for example, waste valuable time and energy. Healthcare workers who can’t quickly access patient records because of a clunky system are forced to spend extra time navigating digital interfaces instead of caring for patients. In both cases, time is wasted, patient outcomes are jeopardized, and healthcare costs increase.
Furthermore, poor spatial design—like inadequate waiting areas or poorly designed emergency rooms—can lead to stress, delays in care, and poor communication, all of which can negatively impact patient outcomes.
2. Medical Devices That Don't Meet the User’s Needs
Medical devices that are difficult to use or unintuitive pose a serious health risk. Imagine a healthcare professional in a high-pressure situation, needing to use a life-saving device quickly but unable to do so effectively due to a poorly designed interface. Or think about patients who struggle with complex home-care equipment because the design doesn't account for their physical limitations or cognitive abilities. One particularly troubling example comes from the insulin delivery devices used by people with diabetes. Many of these devices are difficult for patients to program or use correctly, leading to incorrect dosages, mismanagement of the disease, and, in extreme cases, hospitalizations. The design flaws in such devices could be causing more harm than good. Additionally, poor design in hospital equipment, such as intravenous (IV) pumps or mechanical ventilators, can lead to errors that jeopardize patient safety. A well-designed device can help healthcare providers work faster, more efficiently, and more accurately. But poor design often leads to operator errors and, ultimately, harm to patients.
3. Health Apps That Are Confusing or Inaccessible
In today’s digital age, health apps and online services are playing an increasingly important role in both patient care and health management. But poor design in these apps can lead to confusion, frustration, and miscommunication—problems that can prevent patients from receiving the care they need.
Take, for example, a health app that tracks a person’s medications. If the app is confusing to navigate or doesn’t alert users about potential drug interactions, it can put users at serious risk. Similarly, apps designed to help people with chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes may fail to engage users if their design doesn’t take into account the users’ cognitive abilities, preferences, or the emotional aspect of managing a chronic disease.
These issues not only reduce the effectiveness of the app but also create barriers to health improvement. Poor user interfaces, difficult navigation, and unreliable functionality can contribute to a lack of adherence to treatment plans, resulting in negative health outcomes.
4. Inaccessible Healthcare Spaces
Healthcare spaces like hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices are often designed with the best of intentions but fall short when it comes to accessibility. Poor design in healthcare environments can affect people with disabilities, the elderly, and those who are already in vulnerable or stressed states.
For instance, narrow hallways, inaccessible bathrooms, and lack of wheelchair access create obstacles for patients with mobility issues. Similarly, the absence of clear signage can lead to confusion and frustration, especially for those with visual impairments or cognitive challenges.
Furthermore, the design of waiting rooms and patient rooms often overlooks the emotional aspect of healthcare. Patients who spend hours waiting in sterile, overcrowded spaces may experience increased anxiety or stress, which can negatively affect their overall health. In contrast, research shows that thoughtful design, such as incorporating natural light, green spaces, and comfortable seating, can reduce anxiety and promote a healing environment.
How Design Can Improve Public Health
Good design doesn’t just solve problems—it enhances health outcomes, reduces stress, and supports well-being. When applied to public health, it can lead to systemic improvements that save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the quality of care. Here’s how:
1. Better Patient Outcomes with Thoughtful Design
Hospitals that are designed with patient flow in mind can reduce delays, increase safety, and ultimately improve care. A hospital room that’s thoughtfully laid out can make it easier for doctors and nurses to access the equipment and information they need, leading to better care. Similarly, devices that are user-friendly can reduce the risk of errors and improve patient compliance with treatment.
2. Creating Environments That Reduce Stress
Environmental design can play a powerful role in reducing stress and promoting healing. Whether it’s using calming colors, designing spaces that promote privacy, or ensuring that critical areas are easy to navigate, good design can significantly improve the patient experience.
3. Making Health Technology More Accessible
Technology in healthcare has the power to revolutionize care delivery, but only if it’s designed to be intuitive and accessible. Well-designed apps and medical devices can empower patients to take control of their health, engage with their care teams, and make better decisions. When healthcare technology is designed with the user in mind, it enhances patient adherence, reduces errors, and improves long-term outcomes.
A Call to Action: Design for Better Health
At its core, poor design in healthcare can lead to inefficiencies, miscommunication, and errors, all of which compromise public health. However, the opposite is also true: when design is prioritized—whether in physical spaces, medical devices, or digital tools—it can be a powerful force for improving healthcare systems, outcomes, and patient well-being.
It’s time for designers, healthcare providers, and policymakers to recognize that poor design isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a public health problem. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a designer, or someone with a stake in the public health system, we all have a role to play in creating a more thoughtful, user-centered healthcare environment.
Good design is not just about making things look pretty or function more efficiently; it’s about making people’s lives better—and that’s a cause worth fighting for.
This blog post highlights the significant impact of poor design on public health and calls for more attention to thoughtful, user-centered design practices. By improving design in healthcare, we can improve lives, reduce errors, and create systems that better serve the needs of the public.