Medical and Dental Office Design
For many doctors and dentists, their Medical and Dental Waiting Room is – as the name suggests – a comfortable, functional space where patients and their family members wait anywhere from a few minutes, to possibly over an hour.
However, the aforementioned patients and family members view things differently. That is, they do not just perceive doctors waiting rooms in terms of what they are on a functional level (i.e. spaces within which to wait). Rather, they perceive doctors waiting rooms as an experience that is either positive or negative.
Naturally, doctors, dentists, and their respective staff want that experience to be positive; especially since some individuals are anxious at the mere thought of “going to do the doctor” or “going to the dentist” – even if it is for a routine checkup or minor, quick treatment or procedure.
Furthermore, competition for patient loyalty is vital for practice stability and growth, and whether patients feel good or bad about their experience is a major factor in whether they will remain patients, and refer others (e.g. colleagues, neighbors, etc.).
In light of the above, here are 3 best practices for doctors waiting room designs:
Tips From an Interior Design Company, in Cape Town:
1. Focus on Comfort
While the “back end” of a medical or dental office can be a model of space utilization where functionality and form govern many design elements, the waiting room is an altogether different story. The number one consideration should be patient comfort.
As such, the chairs should be comfortable, the lighting should be soothing yet bright enough for patients to read or work, and there should be ample table space.
Power outlets and wi-fi are highly appreciated by patients, as well as by accompanying family members. Many medical and dental offices also have flat screen TVs, and may have a special section for kids to have fun (complete with video game consoles!)
2. Remember that it’s a Waiting ROOM
Traditionally, the operative word in “waiting room” has been waiting. As such, it was not uncommon (and is still not uncommon now) to see an abundance of chairs, and very little else.
However, the most patient-friendly medical and dental office waiting room designs are those that remember that it’s a waiting ROOM, and as such it should be roomy. Patients should easily be able to get up and move around without bumping into other people, having to step over bags and purses, and so on.
3. Enable staff-patient Engagement
Conventional (“old school”) medical and dental office design separated the waiting room from the reception area. In fact, it is not uncommon to come across some offices where the reception area and waiting room are not even within sight of each other.
However, today’s more modern and dynamic practices bring patients closer to the reception area, so that staff can be within easy reach to answer questions and, especially, to make sure that patients are comfortable.
What’s more, many practices are wisely recognizing that they need to educate patients more on various options (such as cosmetic dentistry), and bringing reception areas closer to waiting rooms can help facilitate this process.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, each practice is unique, and this fundamental truth must express itself in the design as well – including but not limited to waiting rooms. However, with this being said, it is wise and, indeed, more patient-friendly and profitable, to incorporate best practices like those noted above.
To learn more, contact the experts at Urban Spaces today. We have in-depth experience working with doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals to refresh or re-invent their offices.
The Urban Spaces Approach To Medical Office Design
Urban Spaces applies a three-pronged “concept to completion” approach to all of our medical and dental office design and construction. Our Design-Build-Furnish approach offers a true one-stop-shop option for medical office remodeling, renovation, and construction. There is no need to utilize multiple contractors and multiple companies to manage your medical office construction project when we can do it all for you!
We start with a free consultation to get a feel for your needs. After that, we move on to the Design phase where architects and space planners begin to visualize your new dental clinic and provide you with detailed cost estimates. Once the design has been selected, it’s time to Build. Urban Spaces handles all project management of the build process. This includes selecting, hiring, managing, and paying all tradesmen and contractors. As the building nears completion, we start the Furnish aspect of the project. We have a design portfolio of numerous vendors to provide you with the latest in interior finishes, office and waiting room furniture, and dental clinic office needs. You will work closely with an interior designer to select everything from flooring and wall colors to the reception desk, waiting room, and break room furnishings.
Throughout the whole process, you are kept informed of construction progress through a dedicated project manager. Your project manager will guide you through the decision-making phase, the construction phase, and the move-in phase. There’s no need for you to field multiple inquiries from multiple contractors or try to juggle your new dental office construction project while also trying to see patients and keep your clinic running. Our goal is to get you into your new dental office with minimal disruption and zero hassles.
For many doctors and dentists, their Medical and Dental Waiting Room is – as the name suggests – a comfortable, functional space where patients and their family members wait anywhere from a few minutes, to possibly over an hour.
However, the aforementioned patients and family members view things differently. That is, they do not just perceive doctors waiting rooms in terms of what they are on a functional level (i.e. spaces within which to wait). Rather, they perceive doctors waiting rooms as an experience that is either positive or negative.
Naturally, doctors, dentists, and their respective staff want that experience to be positive; especially since some individuals are anxious at the mere thought of “going to do the doctor” or “going to the dentist” – even if it is for a routine checkup or minor, quick treatment or procedure.
Furthermore, competition for patient loyalty is vital for practice stability and growth, and whether patients feel good or bad about their experience is a major factor in whether they will remain patients, and refer others (e.g. colleagues, neighbors, etc.).
In light of the above, here are 3 best practices for doctors waiting room designs:
Tips From an Interior Design Company, in Cape Town:
1. Focus on Comfort
While the “back end” of a medical or dental office can be a model of space utilization where functionality and form govern many design elements, the waiting room is an altogether different story. The number one consideration should be patient comfort.
As such, the chairs should be comfortable, the lighting should be soothing yet bright enough for patients to read or work, and there should be ample table space.
Power outlets and wi-fi are highly appreciated by patients, as well as by accompanying family members. Many medical and dental offices also have flat screen TVs, and may have a special section for kids to have fun (complete with video game consoles!)
2. Remember that it’s a Waiting ROOM
Traditionally, the operative word in “waiting room” has been waiting. As such, it was not uncommon (and is still not uncommon now) to see an abundance of chairs, and very little else.
However, the most patient-friendly medical and dental office waiting room designs are those that remember that it’s a waiting ROOM, and as such it should be roomy. Patients should easily be able to get up and move around without bumping into other people, having to step over bags and purses, and so on.
3. Enable staff-patient Engagement
Conventional (“old school”) medical and dental office design separated the waiting room from the reception area. In fact, it is not uncommon to come across some offices where the reception area and waiting room are not even within sight of each other.
However, today’s more modern and dynamic practices bring patients closer to the reception area, so that staff can be within easy reach to answer questions and, especially, to make sure that patients are comfortable.
What’s more, many practices are wisely recognizing that they need to educate patients more on various options (such as cosmetic dentistry), and bringing reception areas closer to waiting rooms can help facilitate this process.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, each practice is unique, and this fundamental truth must express itself in the design as well – including but not limited to waiting rooms. However, with this being said, it is wise and, indeed, more patient-friendly and profitable, to incorporate best practices like those noted above.
To learn more, contact the experts at Urban Spaces today. We have in-depth experience working with doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals to refresh or re-invent their offices.
The Urban Spaces Approach To Medical Office Design
Urban Spaces applies a three-pronged “concept to completion” approach to all of our medical and dental office design and construction. Our Design-Build-Furnish approach offers a true one-stop-shop option for medical office remodeling, renovation, and construction. There is no need to utilize multiple contractors and multiple companies to manage your medical office construction project when we can do it all for you!
We start with a free consultation to get a feel for your needs. After that, we move on to the Design phase where architects and space planners begin to visualize your new dental clinic and provide you with detailed cost estimates. Once the design has been selected, it’s time to Build. Urban Spaces handles all project management of the build process. This includes selecting, hiring, managing, and paying all tradesmen and contractors. As the building nears completion, we start the Furnish aspect of the project. We have a design portfolio of numerous vendors to provide you with the latest in interior finishes, office and waiting room furniture, and dental clinic office needs. You will work closely with an interior designer to select everything from flooring and wall colors to the reception desk, waiting room, and break room furnishings.
Throughout the whole process, you are kept informed of construction progress through a dedicated project manager. Your project manager will guide you through the decision-making phase, the construction phase, and the move-in phase. There’s no need for you to field multiple inquiries from multiple contractors or try to juggle your new dental office construction project while also trying to see patients and keep your clinic running. Our goal is to get you into your new dental office with minimal disruption and zero hassles.