For cancer patients navigating a complex and emotional journey, a cancer care facility’s design should be centered on empathy. Today’s healthcare industry is looking for innovations to improve the patient experience by changing the environment, the roles that staff play, and the ways patients receive information. In this session, we will discuss one of our HMC recent research studies in which an empathic design approach is being implemented to discover patients’ feelings, thoughts, and behaviors at different stages of cancer care journey. We will review fascinating stories from individuals who have either been patients themselves or had a family member in treatment. Focusing on cancer care design, research, and operation, we will discuss how technology, innovations in cancer treatments, and emerging cancer care delivery models will impact how we design the cancer care facilities of tomorrow.

Registration for this program is open at the bottom of this page.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about emerging models of cancer care delivery, innovations in cancer treatments, and their design implication to improve patient journeys
2. Learn about Empathic Design Approach to understand and map patients’ feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to create a better patient experience
3. Learn how to use the research findings to identify gaps and generate new solutions to enhance patient journeys during different stages of cancer care
4. Identify policy and design interventions to promote cancer care experiences across the continuum of care, not only for patients but also for families and providers

About the Presenter

Adeleh Nejati, AIA, PhD, LEED AP, WELL AP, EDAC
Associate Principal / Vice President
Healthcare Planner and Researcher
HMC Architects

Adeleh Nejati, AIA, PhD, LEED AP, WELL AP, EDAC, is an associate principal, a healthcare planner and researcher with HMC Architects in San Francisco, CA. Adeleh brings a wealth of industry-leading experience and a unique skillset rooted in advanced research, innovation, and genuine knowledge of healthcare clients’ key drivers and business challenges. Previously with architecture firms HKS and HOK respectively, Adeleh served as healthcare planner and researcher on a variety of projects including Stanford Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, USC Norris Cancer Center, and a 1.5 million square-foot Cancer Hospital and Specialized Outpatient Clinic Facility in Hong Kong.

This program is accredited by AIASF to provide 1 HSW learning unit to AIA member attendees