PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A new medical facility in Philadelphia is making a doctor’s visit less stressful. Jefferson Health’s new outpatient clinic, the Honickman Center, is a state-of-the-art facility.
In addition to the latest medical equipment, there are also special design features that ensure visitors remain calm.
A trip to the Honickman Center is a journey into a rarefied world of sensory sensitivity.
“There are many amenities in this building to help people relax and unwind,” said Dr. Wendy Ross, director of the Jefferson’s Center for Autism and Neurodiversity.
The hallways are filled with natural scenes and there are spaces specifically designed for people with neurodiversity, such as those with autism and ADHD, who can become anxious in unfamiliar environments.
“I think it’s very special because our population is often an afterthought or an adjustment, but our population was invited from the beginning to participate in aspects of this building,” Ross said.
She said things like textured walls can be a comforting distraction.
“It feels good when you touch it, so the tactile element is very nice for calming,” Ross said.
There are special seats with raised sides for more privacy.
“Helps me relax or be calm,” said Tom Dealy.
Dealy is from Carousel Connections, a group that works with people with autism who helped with the design. The seats also have bumpy hand pads.
“They feel good,” said Luke McGivern-Cowan.
There are special art installations in the waiting rooms.
“When you look at it, it looks like the painting is moving, it looks like it has come to life,” said Lyn Godley, director of the Industrial Design Department at Jefferson’s Center of Immersive Arts for Health. “When you involve someone in an immersive experience, it transports them, it takes them out of their present moment.”
Doctors said specialized designs can be calming for everyone in a medical setting. Welcome to the new era of inclusive design.
“The accommodations we’ve created here are designed for people with developmental disabilities like autism or other neurodiverse conditions, but truly benefit everyone,” Ross said.
Stephanie Stahl
