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Patience may be a virtue, but the reality is that many people lack it. According to a recent survey, 85% of patients have to wait between 10-30 minutes after their scheduled appointment to see a doctor. These wait times are hardly unreasonable, but they’re also the “worst part” of a trip to the doctor’s –– according to 63% of those surveyed. People just hate waiting, and waiting rooms have been known to spike anxiety and nerves. This is certainly a problem for professionals in the medical field, like dentists and doctors, but a lackluster waiting room can affect any business negatively. Today, we’ll highlight five waiting room entertainment ideas that professionals can implement to keep their patients, visitors, or customers comfortable and relaxed. Check them out here:
Snacks
What’s the only thing worse than an angry person in a waiting room? A “hangry” one. Fortunately, business owners can make a great impression with patients or customers by offering healthful snacks in their waiting area. Even something as simple as a piece of fresh fruit can go a long way toward impressing a visitor to your organization.
Art
An engaging picture or painting can massively improve the look and feel of a waiting room, as well as provide a happy distraction for nervous patients. Look for artwork that is compelling enough to hold your attention for more than ten seconds. Additionally, businesses that are able to create waiting rooms with windows should keep them open and allow plenty of sunshine in.
Comfortable Furniture
Furniture isn’t exactly “entertaining,” but the right chair and layout can soothe nervous patients. Some practitioners have gone so far as to include a massage chair in their waiting room. You don’t have to go to such lengths, but you should invest in chairs and couches that are comfortable and that match your office decor.
The Kids Section
For some professionals, like doctors or dentists who work with families, creating a special waiting area for kids is a must. If at all possible, consider separating this space from the more “general” reception room with a modular wall.
Naturally, kids need to be entertained more than adults, so consider including any of the following in your play-place:
- Safe toys that don’t contain small pieces and that can be fixed to a wall.
- iPads or other devices with downloadable games.
- TV screens.
- Video-game consoles.
Basic Tech Amenities
In the past, businesses would include magazines in waiting rooms in order to keep people entertained during their stay. While you can still do this, you don’t have to anymore thanks to the rise of smartphones and laptops. Now, people can entertain themselves by checking their email, logging onto social media, or even working remotely. All you as a business owner have to worry about is providing adequate tech features like WiFi and outlets. If you really want to go above and beyond, consider purchasing a few universal chargers to lend to visitors who have forgotten theirs.
Final Thoughts
What a visitor thinks of your waiting room could color their entire experience with your organization. At Key Interiors, we’ve worked closely with doctors, dentists, dealerships, and corporate businesses to create waiting rooms that resonate with customers. We have years of experience in interior office design, and we can help your business make the most of its available space. Contact us to get started, or check out our eBook for more information: {{cta(‘be9ee934-8da3-4f57-9a54-072b3b5e3be0′,’justifycenter’)}}
