The Only Waiting Room Checklist You Need

Sharing is caring!

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Whether it is your own medical, medi-beauty, or dental practice, or you are in charge of patient care, there is one thing for sure – your waiting room makes all the difference. 

It should be somewhere modern, clean, airy and elegant. You offer your clients the ability to relax and wait in a calming environment. 

Medical clinic design doesn’t have to be boring; it can cater to your clients and make the waiting experience as enjoyable as possible. 

Why does the waiting room matter?

The waiting room is typically that space between worrying about something and getting to talk about it. In the case of a beauty treatment center, it can be somewhere to pass a few moments before getting a potentially life-changing procedure. 

Your waiting room should be the place that eases your clients' worries and helps them be calm ahead of their appointment. 

Since the waiting room is the first place that people will see, it also sets the expectations for the rest of the appointment. 

Clean

A waiting area should be clean; this doesn’t mean it has to smell of strong chemicals – as that can cause some patients to feel nauseated. Make sure a disinfectant spray is used at regular intervals throughout the day. 

Pay special attention to the doors; they are prone to mud splashes, spills, and tiny stick handprints. 

Look at the floor too. Are there stains on the carpet? Would it be more beneficial to change any carpet areas for vinyl or wood flooring?

Music

Instead of having a TV on, not everyone can agree on the best channel to watch. It can be better to have some playlists that you have created to match your waiting area. Classical music can often feel stuffy, but modern calming music can work for many people. 

Seating

Sitting opposite people you don’t know in silence can be awkward as you wait can be awkward. And if it is a medical waiting room, sneezing and coughing towards other people can make you feel awful. 

Arrange your chairs in a way that people aren't facing each other, and that has room to pass. Keep in mind space for wheelchairs and those with mobility issues. 

Pens

A pen pot with pens within easy reach is better than people waiting to have to ask the reception for pens all the time. It is a small but useful thing to have available. 

Children

Dental and medical practices often have children in them, and children can get bored pretty quickly. See if there is an area where the screen could fit into the wall, which would benefit from some bright colors to entertain waiting children. 

Hydration

Anxiety and nerves can make our mouth go dry, which can mean we find it difficult to talk or feel self-conscious. Ensure that there is a water dispenser to help avoid dehydration. 

Waiting times 

Sometimes waiting times are longer than you anticipate, and to this end, a screen with updated wait times on the wall where everyone can see will help keep information transparent. 

The people in your waiting room should feel like you are taking care of them ahead of the appointments. Keeping it clean, well-spaced, and a great design can help. 
It’s not just your in-person interactions that matter; you need to make sure your online experience is great too and that starts with your marketing: What Marketing Method Would Work Best For Your Business? – Gillian Sarah

Sharing is caring!