3 Trends Shaping Endocrinology Rooms

Endocrinology is an ever-expanding field, with patients with specific and complex needs. Because of this, the rooms in which endocrinology consultations occur need to be well-equipped and responsive to appropriate trends. 

Here’s three trends that we believe are shaping endocrinology rooms in 2022. 

1. Increase in Patient Knowledge

Thanks to the internet, patients now have access to a myriad of information regarding endocrinology. Access to broader information means that now, more than ever before, patients often arrive in endocrinology rooms with a pre-existing expectation of the care and treatments available to them. 

This can be a good thing, and a bad thing. Historically, patients have been unaware of information available to them which can lead to feelings of distress or confusion. Now, they are able to feel better equipped to make decisions regarding their health. 

But there’s a catch. Much of the information regarding endocrinology that patients may access on the internet may be unreliable, or inappropriate for your patient. It’s the health practitioner's role to assist patients in navigating information and providing them with reliable sources where appropriate. 

How does this impact the endocrinology room itself? 

The endocrinology room plays a subtle role in the education of patients. What materials do you have available for patients to view (in the form of posters, magazines, flyers etc.), and are these appropriate or well explained? 

Patients can also be assured that they are receiving appropriate care by allowing the endocrinology room’s physical presence to line up with appropriate images they may have viewed online. 

Engage with patient expectations for a pleasant, modern physical space such as provided by leaders in the endocrinology field. Review and compare the decor, lighting, and design aspects of endocrinology rooms to reassure patients from the moment they enter the space that they are receiving the best level of care. 


2. Increase in Technology and Communication
Endocrinology uses an advanced network of healthcare communication. Information regarding patients’ healthcare is often needed to be shared between medical professionals and allied health providers to ensure the best care possible is given. 

Technological advancements have seen that specialized endocrinology services and those in regional areas are increasing. With this, comes a need to be able to continue to effectively share across the healthcare network relevant information regarding patient care. Patients are slowly gaining access to a broader network of endocrinology and other healthcare services.
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To continue to support this, the healthcare network must continue to dedicate itself to effective communication and collaboration. 

Consider how your endocrinology rooms are equipped to effectively and responsibly share patient information when needed. Do you have a network that you can refer patients on to? 

How is this reflected in your space?

3. COVID

The Coronavirus Pandemic has led to a need for the evaluation of how best to protect those in endocrinology practices from the virus. Some patients will have compromised immune systems, and these patients are among those most at risk of infection. 

At the same time, these patients have unique needs for care receiving and the inclusion of family members in this process is important. Patients receiving endocrinology management often have multiple points of contact with healthcare professionals. How to best meet these needs, as well as minimize risk for virus transmission is a challenge that cannot be understated. 

Some of the responses that have been implemented include splitting healthcare teams, increasing personal protective equipment, increased cleaning, scanning for temperatures, limiting visitors, and more. 

The pandemic has been one of the most drastic trends to change the endocrinology space. Time will tell how many of these changes will be lasting in this space.

Want to read more on this topic?

If you’re looking for more information on how best to adjust your practice to meet the needs of COVID-19, here’s an article