Taking care of the caregivers

At Four Point Design, part of being “on point” with our clients means continually growing, learning, and enriching our understanding through exploration, conversations, and continued education. In this series, we explore a topic that has been top-of-mind for us lately: building trust in healthcare. In part 1 of this series, Victoria Numbers shared thoughts on spatial justice, a concept Liz Ogbu shared at the most recent Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo.

For the Four Point Design team, the concept of building trust is ever-present in our minds. We appreciate that our clients have trusted us to design their spaces and we want to continually earn that trust by living our values of integrity, responsiveness, expertise and care.

Trust is also essential in the delivery of healthcare. When people trust health and wellness organizations, they’re more likely to seek care services, enhancing health wellbeing. And there’s a specific group whose contributions are critical to building trust and shaping the patient experience—the caregivers.

Since its founding in 2015, Four Point Design has specialized in healthcare interiors. We each have unique perspectives we bring to our work—insights gained not just from past projects, but from experiences as users of the healthcare system interacting with caregivers.

For Jamie Raymond, one of her formative experiences happened when she was just 19 years old. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer, requiring a 12-hour brain surgery.

“It was traumatizing, so there’s a lot I don't remember,” Jamie said. “I do remember waiting in the lounge, but can’t really recall the color of the walls, the lighting levels, or the artwork. What I do remember was the care she received and the communication from the caregivers. Today, as a designer, I see the built environment as a backdrop—a supporting element that gives caregivers the tools to do their best work and allows patients and their loved ones to focus on healing.”

Victoria Numbers also has firsthand knowledge of the healthcare experience. Her mother was an intensive care nurse for 30 years. And when Victoria had her first son, Victoria spent two weeks in the hospital, and then her new baby was in the neonatal intensive care unit for a month. Victoria recalls breaking down and not wanting to leave the NICU late one evening.

“One of the nurses gently came over and said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll move over to this charting station right here at his window and I’ll look after him all night; I’ll hold him,’” Victoria said. “She just put me at ease, and I gained a whole new appreciation for what caregivers do. Caregivers are with us when we’re at our most vulnerable. They not only care for your body or your family members; they also care for the whole person and their emotional wellbeing.”

Today, Victoria says she looks for any opportunity to make nurses’ jobs easier or improve their experience. For example, Four Point Design is working on a staff suite with spaces and amenities that give caregivers a place to refresh and recharge.

Jamie agreed, adding, “The level of commitment and passion it takes to be a healthcare worker inspires me to do my best work for them.”

Thank you to all the caregivers who have touched our lives, whether through our design work or our personal experiences. We appreciate your invaluable contributions.