How to Design a Waiting Room Your Patients Will Love

Doctors are faced with a difficult task when it comes to designing their waiting room. For them, it must be functional, holding the correct number of patients while allowing for easy flow in and out. But patients want to feel comfortable while they wait for their appointment. It can be difficult to strike the right balance, which is problematic, given your waiting room is a critical component in healthcare CRM.

Luckily, there are some simple design tricks that will help you create an amazing waiting room that will make your patients love you! Here are a few waiting room ideas to keep in mind.

14 Tips for Patient-Centric Clinic Waiting Room Design

1. Include high-quality art to make your medical or dental waiting room feel more welcoming.
2. Place plants in the corners of the patient waiting room, adding life and visual appeal.
3. Make sure that there is adequate lighting during both day and nighttime hours (consider using lamps instead of overhead lights). This will help ease any potential anxiety about power outages.
4. Use neutral tones and warm colors to help patients feel more at ease in your healthcare waiting room, such as beige or light brown with pops of green color.
5. Keep the temperature comfortable (between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit). If you do not have air conditioning, consider using a fan during particularly hot days to enhance the waiting room experience.
6. Increase the noise level in your waiting room. If patients are able to concentrate on their music or entertainment, they will be less likely to get frustrated with the wait time.
7. Make sure that information is clear and easy to read for your patients. This includes any signs in your waiting room along with appointment cards/reminders if you have them available.
8. Offer a number system to allow your patients to feel more in control of their wait time. This will also help lessen the likelihood that they will have an outburst due to frustration or anxiety from waiting too long.
9. Consider having magazines available for those who are interested as well as water and other beverages.
10. Make sure that your staff is friendly and approachable. Your patients should not be afraid to ask questions if they have them!
11. Keep the area where patients are waiting discreet so they do not feel too seen.
12. Allow for room between patients. This is especially important since the pandemic began.
13. Make sure your furniture is ergonomic.
14. Ensure you have spaces that are suited to those with mobility aids.

Have you already made the effort to enhance your space but still find the patient experience in your waiting room is lacking? Contact Sequence Health. In addition to our various digital healthcare engagement solutions, we can offer some guidance on enhancing your physical spaces.