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32 Medical Construction & Design | M A RCH /A PR IL 2017 | MCDM AG.COM BY BEAU HERR & IVY YANG China's population is going through a number of shifts, including aging communi- ties, higher standards of living and a growing young, urban middle class. For the country's healthcare system, that also means challenges in meeting the needs of care and provid- ing quality services. As standards of living begin to rise, hospitals in China are changing direction toward a more patient-focused design philosophy to keep up with the quality and high standards of care people are seeking. While healthcare in China is generally run by the govern- ment, private developers are also beginning to take part in the market by building private hospitals and looking for ways to provide the population with improved care and more op- tions. As the private sector becomes more involved in healthcare, they are also us- ing their experience in other sectors, such as retail and com- mercial, by looking for ways to make the built environment more culturally relevant. In the past, healthcare in China has focused on the masses with the intent to raise the standard for everyone. This scientifi c ap- proach in healthcare prevailed in the west due in part to the adoption of the scientifi c method to solve problems. The scientifi c method is largely based on the belief that through a process of inquiry, any problem can be distilled down to its prime components. Once discovered and treated, the problem ceases to exist, or a "cure" is found. As admirable and necessary as this approach was, the new generation is pushing to transform health- care into a more balanced and holistic approach — one that is more relevant to their needs. THE RIGHT DOSE Private sector gives China's healthcare a boost, focuses on community care AROUND THE GLOBE ISSUE FOCUS 1.4B Population in China. Breakdown by age: 0-14 years 17.2% 15-64 years 73.4% 65 and over 9.4% — wikipedia.org 1.6 Average physicians per 1,000 population in China — oecd.org From Top: The design for this center focuses on the patient and provides a positive connection to the community. > Tokyo Bay Rehabilitation Hospital is an 8,361-square-meter, 160-bed hospital.