If you work in the medical field, you are around people all the time. You want your patients always to be healthy and happy. This is not too hard of a goal to reach, as you are already working on keeping them healthy! But by promoting comfort and warmth in your medical offices, you can increase the happiness and calm your patients feel. Creating a comforting atmosphere for your patients before they go into an appointment can increase happiness. Here are some ways you can make your practice as inviting as possible:
Furniture
Investing in comfortable, high-quality furniture is an obvious one. Patients will be sitting in these waiting rooms for a while, so make sure it is a space that they want to be in. Look at your options and really take time to decide which furniture will suit you best before you pick out the comfort that your patients deserve.
Art
Consider filling the walls with some art. It will make the room more inviting, attractive, and creative. Some artwork in the waiting area, as well as the examination room or even your office, can really make patients feel more at home. Select pieces that are unique and inspiring. Using art to lift your space will make your medical office pop. Some pieces may set a mood or tone. When you install your art pieces, consider drawing attention to the art pieces with directed lighting and a nice background. Little touches like this can add comfort and style to your practice.
Plants
A vibrant space will have a little bit of nature in it. Bring nature indoors by adding a few natural decorations. Whether it be a potted plant or a cacti collection, nature is what you need to really create a calm atmosphere and increase overall satisfaction. Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also help with regulating the air and diminishing odors. Some indoor plants will be able to help with making the air feel a little less stuffy and will be a nice little addition to any office space. Being near nature will bring a sense of calm to your patients. This is usually something hard to achieve in an office building, but it’s very much possible with the help of a few well-chosen plants. A few colorful plants can also be great for decorating and adding that little bit of diversity or a pop of color. Consider getting something with a relaxing smell to fill the air, like jasmine flowers! Plants near a fish tank will also be nice as the sound of water combined with the sight of nature can be quite soothing.
Teamwork
You and your team should be inviting as possible. When patients come in, they should be greeted with smiles. Guests should feel safe and know that they matter to you. Great customer service can improve the patient experience considerably and will make people less afraid to visit their doctor. If they know their privacy will be respected, they feel like they are understood and not judged. This is a great way to earn a patients trust and make them feel a lot more relaxed during their session. Support the patient; be sure to show concern with any issue they might address. There should be a standard met when it comes to customer service as well as how your staff acts towards all patients.
The Little Things
While your space may now be very comfortable and your staff well-prepared, there are some little details that play a part as well. The little things that you add to your office space will show the customers that you think about them. For instance, you might want to add some reading material or a TV to the waiting room. Just like the art, little props and decorations will be noticed by the patients. If you already have reading materials, make sure they are up to date. If you have a snack section, make sure the coffee machine and snacks are replenished and that the area remains clean.
Clinicube® is a shared office space for physicians and chiropractors. Get in touch today to see how we can help!