Practice facilities: waiting room

A patient who has made an appointment at the doctor's office and shows up on time for this appointment will be annoyed if he has to wait a while. Long waiting times in the practice are usually perceived as a waste of time and, according to a study by pronova BKK, are the most common reason for a negative practical experience.

In most cases, however, waiting is unavoidable despite proper planning. On average, every German spends 27 minutes in the waiting room per visit to the doctor , according to a survey carried out on behalf of the Federal Association of Company Health Insurance Funds. If it is not always possible to shorten waiting times, how can you at least make them nicer for the patients? A well-organized and furnished waiting room can have a significant impact on this.

"Nothing to look for!"

First of all, the waiting room should be easily accessible . It is best to be near the entrance and reception and easily accessible from there. The toilet for patients and visitors should also be in the entrance area so that you don't have to search for it. In the event that a patient is suspected of having an infectious disease, small, separate "quarantine rooms" would be useful. This helps minimize the risk of infecting other patients.

Always in touch

The next point to consider is visibility and transparency . Separating the waiting area by means of glass walls and glass doors, which can be half covered with a matt privacy film at the bottom, is ideal. On the one hand, this ensures the patient's comfort and privacy, on the other hand, the receptionist can keep an eye on the patient and provide assistance if necessary. On the other hand, in an ordinary room with opaque walls, the patient may have a feeling of being forgotten.

Of course, the data protection guidelines should be observed. The waiting area should be organizationally separated from the reception and the treatment rooms. The waiting patients must not be able to see any information about other patients. If you opt for glass doors or glass walls, then it must be ensured that fax machines and computer screens are set up in such a way that they cannot be seen through the glass.

furniture in the waiting room

Ergonomic furniture, color design and the right light are of great importance for practice waiting rooms. A homely atmosphere is very helpful for creating a positive mood and relaxation. Light and warm tones of the walls, plenty of air and light, as well as green indoor plants will help a lot in this.

The seating must be comfortable, have a pleasant feel and be provided in sufficient numbers. Chairs, armchairs and sofas made of wood and textiles are excellent for this purpose. Additional stacking chairs can be helpful when a large number of patients gather in the waiting room. Storage tables and a wardrobe should not be missing if possible. Not infrequently, patients should fill out some paperwork, forms, consents, etc. A small table would be helpful for this.

Colors in the waiting room

As already mentioned, walls in light, warm colors and pastel colors create a relaxing atmosphere. So, olive green calms, harmonizes and refreshes. White, light yellow, peach red and beige are also perceived positively. The surfaces of the seating, on the other hand, can have dark, warm colors and thus form a pleasant contrast to the walls.

To support a cozy atmosphere, you can green the waiting room with indoor plants . They have a calming effect on people and also clean the air. But please be careful: some flowering plants can cause allergies.

Canvas prints or banners with nature motifs can be hung up in the waiting room as decorative elements or as a colorful line on the wall.

Light and air in the waiting room

The right lighting contributes to a cozy feel-good atmosphere. A combination of warm general lighting and indirect lighting is ideal. Plenty of daylight allows the waiting patient to read comfortably and healthily without straining their eyes. The light sources with the indirect (and possibly colored) light create a harmonious atmosphere and are perceived as calming.

In rooms where the sick people have to stay for some time, i.e. in the waiting room, fresh air must of course be provided. Windows must be able to be opened quickly for ventilation and ensure ample supply of fresh air. Using a compact air washer would be a big plus. Sufficient free space in the room is also important for ventilation, so the waiting room should not be overcrowded with furniture .

provide distraction

Long waiting times are often an additional burden for anxious patients. In order to provide distraction, it makes sense to set up a brochure stand or a mobile shelf with reading material in the waiting room. Appealing distraction options are available here: interesting newspapers, fresh daily newspapers, magazines or small puzzles such as Sudoku. Information brochures on medical topics can also be of interest to patients.

In some practices, a television is also installed or relaxing music is played very quietly in the background. Increasingly, medical practices are offering freely accessible WLAN Internet access in the waiting room.

It is very caring to offer the patients something to drink . A water dispenser or a shelf with water bottles, glasses and napkins are always gratefully used.

Does it make sense to have a children's play area in the waiting area?

Even if you are not a pediatrician, it is good form to set up a children's corner in the waiting room. In this way, the children who accompany their parents under certain circumstances also get meaningful employment. A table and chairs of appropriate size, including a small rug. Coloring books, lots of paper and enough colored pencils with a sharpener are very popular with children and are extremely easy to obtain. Children's books, toy cars and building blocks would make the little visitors even more happy.

Pediatric and adolescent doctor practices should pay even more attention to setting up their children's corners : comfortable seat cushions, a few more toys or table games and, of course, enough space to move around. A small slide and bobby cars will delight the little ones. It is important for the children's areas that the room and all associated toys are regularly disinfected.

Hygiene in the waiting room

And what about hygiene in the waiting area? Current hygiene standards, regular cleaning and disinfection measures form a hub of every doctor's practice. The necessary scope of cleaning and disinfection measures for all premises including the waiting room should be specified in the practice's own hygiene plan. A cleaning protocol can make monitoring easier.

But only the right balance between sterility and comfort creates a sense of well-being for people who have to stay in the waiting room. And if the patient feels that they are in good hands there, they will be happy to come back if necessary and contribute to the good reputation of your practice.