A View of the Future of Medical Planning: A Q&A with Majesty Castro

How can we reimagine and sustain thriving, resilient healthcare systems? For more than 50 years, Jacobs has been collaborating with healthcare providers to tackle this challenge redefining patient care now and in the future.

In this Q&A, Majesty Castro, principal architectural associate at Jacobs, shares insights on bringing complex healthcare projects to life and shaping the future of patient care.

Tell us about your role at Jacobs.

As a principal architectural associate, I address some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. I’m passionate about understanding each clients' unique needs and goals, ensuring our solutions are tailored for success. Building trust and fostering collaboration are central to this process, enabling us to work toward shared healthcare objectives.

Over my 25-year career in healthcare, I’ve taken pride in building strong connections with clients and these relationships continue to inspire my work every day.

Tell us about a project that you’re most proud of. 

I’m currently working on the Alexandra Hospital project, set to begin construction in 2025. This redevelopment and expansion aim to create a more integrated model of health and care for Singapore residents. By redefining the approach to patient care, the project presents unique challenges for both the client and the consultant team. We are excited to collaborate with stakeholders to address these challenges. 

I am particularly proud of the effort our team has put into the medical planning of this project. A highlight of this project is the 10-story outpatient building, home to 13 specialized departments. Medical planning for such a facility is highly complex and our team has developed innovative solutions to improve efficiency and patient care.

What trends are shaping the future of healthcare design, and what are you most excited about?

One exciting trend is designing flexible, adaptable healthcare spaces that quickly respond to evolving patient-care needs. This ensures that facilities can be reconfigured for different functions and patient volumes. 

Additionally, advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming healthcare design, improving efficiency and patient outcomes.  

For example, Alexandra Hospital will feature:

• Self-registration kiosks at each clinic level to streamline patient check-in and queuing
• Self-assessment stations where patients can measure vital signs before seeing a specialist, easing each patient’s experience and freeing up hospital staff for critical tasks.

What are some common challenges in medical planning, and how do you address them to ensure successful project outcomes?

One of the biggest challenges is ensuring clear communication and coordination among stakeholders - including clients, consultants, and contractors. For example, working with stakeholders to transition from accustomed workflows to embrace new technologies that enhance patient-care efficiency, managing hospital operators' expectations and aligning with the government’s vision.  

We address this by establishing structured communication channels, regular meetings and collaborative platforms to keep everyone aligned.

Cost management is another significant challenge.  We implement cost-effective design solutions, conduct value engineering and continuously monitor budgets to ensure financial efficiency without compromising quality.

How do you balance clinical requirements with patient-centered design principles in medical planning? How does technology play a role in this?

We integrate family-friendly areas where patients and their relatives can wait comfortably. For example, waiting areas may include:

• Learning pods with patient education videos that guide patients through simple seated exercises. 
• Natural light, calming colors and comfortable furnishings to reduce stress and promote healing.

Technology also plays a crucial role in medical planning to help strike the balance between clinical requirements and patient-centered design. 

We incorporate smart systems with game-like elements to make health education engaging. These include apps or online platforms that reward patients for completing educational modules. Additionally, integrated mobile applications help patients track health metrics, receive medication reminders and access health information easily. This promotes patient engagement and improves health outcomes.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) further enhances our designs by creating 3D facility models, enhancing visualization, improving planning and coordination among stakeholders and the design team. This approach optimizes space utilization and ensures that all design elements meet clinical and operational requirements.

How do you see healthcare design evolve in the next 10 years, and what are you most excited about?

The next decade will bring exciting advancements, including:

• Telehealth and digital tools: Telehealth will expand access to care, particularly in remote areas, inspiring healthcare facilities to incorporate specialized spaces for virtual consultations.   
• Wearable technology: Wearable devices that monitor real-time health metrics will empower patients to take an active role in managing their health and provide valuable data to healthcare providers.
• Collaborative care teams: Outpatient care will increasingly involve interdisciplinary teams - physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals - working together to provide comprehensive care.