DESIGN PROPOSAL
The Family Care Center aims to tackle the challenge of diverse clinical trial recruitment by addressing the barriers to adequate healthcare for underserved populations. Through individual research and interviews of experts, it was determined that these communities are underrepresented because of their distance from medical facilities, unfamiliarity with health literacy, concerns about privacy, lack of confidence in institutional organizations, and inability to attract and retain medical providers. Other historical and systemic challenges call for a building that is more than a medical facility. The Family Care Center is a community-focused development with the goal of rebuilding connections with a rightfully distrustful population so that they can participate in and benefit from clinical trials in the future.
Within the Atlanta neighborhood of Pittsburgh, the Family Care Center is the only provider of pharmacy, daycare, and basic medical services, bringing these essential programs closer to those who need them. The flex space on the first floor acts as a community ‘living room’, with areas to accommodate health literacy sessions and other educational or social events. Patient privacy is prioritized by incorporating an app to give individuals control over prescription pickup, as well as with the addition of pharmacy consultation rooms to provide a quiet place to ask any questions. Other innovations like informational games, graphics, and even a vending machine provide opportunities to learn more about clinical trails while reducing the institutionality of the design. Finally, providers are supported alongside the community they serve through a private lounge and outdoor terrace to prevent burnout and increase provider-community relationships.