title: Is it time for a new practice environment? Part III: designing and constructing your new practice environment.
abstract: In school, architects are taught "Form follows function," but all too often this concept is forgotten or not followed in planning medical practice environments. Things such as the architecture (look) of the building, the budget, the view from the office, etc., drive planning decisions when none of those can help promote doctor-patient interaction. The planning of a medical practice environment should follow an operational approach that is focused on the concept that best utilizing the doctors' time to provide care to more people is the ultimate goal. All decisions, from where the building is located, to where the exam rooms are located within the building, to how communication is handled, should all be based on how they best facilitate patent and doctor interaction.
authors.affiliation: Practice Flow Solutions, 7742 Spalding Drive, Suite 368, Norcross, GA 30092, USA. brooks@practiceflowsolutions.com
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010824:Physicians' Offices / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States