I personally foresee patients—depending upon the preventative and corrective treatment schedules prescribed
by their plans—shopping online for the most effective
provider. Then, upon entering the MOB, the patient will
orchestrate lab tests, outpatient procedures, imaging
services or consultations with key specialists. Results
will automatically be captured in the patient’s electronic
medical record and transmitted to the patient and his or
her plan provider. Best practices will then dictate the next
treatment steps. Patient experience within the MOB will
continue to be paramount.
A FLEXIBLE FUTURE
For this vision to come to fruition, however, MOBs require
a certain design and functionality. As patient populations
within the building increase, designs will shift to more
open plans.
The use of signage systems and directories will be necessary to assist building patrons or visitors in proceeding
to their desired location within a facility. They will need to
become more standardized and intuitive, in my opinion.
I believe flexibility in design will be the defining attribute for long-term utilization and therefore, investment
returns. The ability to swiftly reconfigure interior common areas and suites in MOBs, while maintaining an
aesthetically pleasing environment, will be critical.
This flexible system will allow for the building to adapt
to the needs of the health system and the community.
Being able to isolate an employed physician space from
a private one or to easily delineate shared space arrangements, among other considerations, will provide an added
compliance component.
TAKING ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES
The increasing use of technology in all facets of life will
require MOBs to become technological hubs. Healthcare
technology is growing exponentially, and MOBs ideally
will include imaging services, surgical procedure equip-
ment, electronic medical record readers and mobile
vehicle docking.
GOING FORWARD
The future of medical office buildings is an exciting one. Existing
MOBs are actually already suitable
for their new roles, albeit with the
integration of increased technology
infrastructures.
But with the trends noted above,
the development, marketing, leasing, branding, and especially operational management of these key
strategic assets, will continue to
require the best and most capable
talent in both the healthcare and
real estate industries. n
IREMFIRST
IntEREstED
In DIsCussIng
MORE On thIs
tOPIC?
gO tO www.
iremfirst.org/
community
forum tO POst
A COMMEnt.
James M. Lennox, CPM® ( james.lennox@cbre.com), is a director with CB Richard Ellis, AMO® in Richmond, Va., and
is the firm’s center of excellence leader for medical office buildings.
