Patient Treatment Adherence

OBJECTIVE: To describe the essential facility characteristics for a model patient counseling area: (1) activities that should be accommodated by the facility; (2) special environmental and interior design features, with a discussion of their impact on the healthcare provider-patient interaction; (3) storage and equipment requirements; and (4) determination of space requirements for the counseling area. A second objective is to suggest a strategy to follow when justifying an adherence clinic. DATA SOURCE: Primary and secondary sources of literature were reviewed in the areas of pharmacy, psychology, and architecture to identify design specifications for the patient counseling area. CONCLUSIONS: The design of a counseling area can indirectly affect the quality of the interaction between the patient and healthcare provider, primarily in terms of its effect on communication. The key features that should be included in the design of the area are different levels of privacy (visual and auditory), "soft" interior decoration, and accommodation of people with disabilities. There are several design-related barriers to communication that should be avoided in the facility. The space required for a counseling area is dependent upon the scope of services provided--approximately 100-130 square feet may be necessary.