Want to make your patients feel better without breaking the bank?
We all know that first impressions are everything, and your waiting room is where most patients form their initial impression of your medical practice. In fact, recent research shows that 80% of healthcare consumers will switch providers if they have a better patient experience.
That’s a significant number.
The problem is that most waiting rooms are little more than holding pens with uncomfortable chairs, limited space, and zero attention given to the number of hours a patient has to endure them.
The truth is that your waiting room is the foundation on which the rest of your practice is built. The right reception and waiting room chairs can make all the difference in the patient experience, so here are some great ways that investing in quality waiting room chairs can help improve patient satisfaction scores across the board.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
Related Articles
Why Waiting Room Comfort Actually Matters
- The Hidden Cost Of Bad Seating
- What Makes A Great Waiting Room Chair?
- Beyond Comfort: Features That Drive Satisfaction
Why Waiting Room Comfort Actually Matters
Think back to your last doctor’s appointment.
How much time did you spend in the waiting room versus the actual doctor? Statistics show that patients spend an average of 18 minutes per visit waiting before seeing a healthcare professional, but many patients wait much longer, especially in the emergency department where median wait times are 2 hours and 42 minutes.
And here’s the thing that most healthcare providers don’t know…
Wait times influence every aspect of the patient experience. Evidence suggests that the longer a patient must wait, the worse their perception of the quality of care, the competency of the healthcare provider, and their overall satisfaction.
But there is good news.
You can’t control how long your patients must wait, but you can control how comfortable they are while waiting.
Patients who sit in supportive, comfortable seating during their wait time will:
- feel less frustrated
- experience reduced anxiety
- feel more valued
That can make a bigger difference than you think.
The Hidden Cost Of Bad Seating
Did you know that…
Research indicates that 30% of patients have walked out of a medical appointment because they had to wait too long. On top of that, an additional 20% of patients have switched healthcare providers due to excessive waiting delays.
Uncomfortable seating only compounds the problem.
Patients who are forced to sit in chairs that offer zero support and comfort are naturally going to feel anxious. They become less willing to wait it out, and every minute seems to drag on. That cheap hard plastic chair that you purchased at some retail outlet because it was inexpensive is now costing you precious patients and referrals.
Not only that — bad waiting room seating affects:
- patient retention rates
- online review scores
- word of mouth referrals
- practice reputation overall
The investment you make in quality waiting room chairs will not only increase your bottom line but also help your practice build patient loyalty.
What Makes A Great Waiting Room Chair?
All waiting room chairs are not created equal.
When it comes to purchasing the best medical chairs for your waiting room, there are some key features to consider, such as:
Proper Padding & Support
Your chairs must have sufficient padding to remain comfortable during long waiting periods. But don’t be fooled, just because the chair is padded does not mean it is comfortable or supportive. Chairs should support a patient’s posture and evenly distribute their weight.
A good waiting room chair should also be accessible to every type of body size without making them feel excluded or unwelcome.
Armrests Are A Must
Armrests serve two critical functions. First, armrests allow patients to situate themselves without getting too close to other patients when the waiting room is full. Second, armrests are essential for elderly and mobility challenged patients that require help getting in and out of their chairs.
Without armrests, you make the wait time more difficult for the very patients who need you the most.
Durable, Easy to Clean Materials
We all know that medical waiting rooms need furniture that can take the daily grind while still looking good and being easy to clean.
Waiting room chairs must be made from materials that can withstand heavy use and frequent sanitising. You must look for chairs that are easy to clean, offer stain resistance, and can be sanitised quickly between patients.
Infection control is also a significant factor when it comes to waiting room chairs, which is why they should be easy to keep clean and sanitised.
Accessibility Features
Every patient should feel welcome and valued when they visit your medical practice. That means your waiting room should be accessible to every patient regardless of their age or physical limitations.
As such, it is critical to purchase chairs at different heights that allow for wheelchair space in your furniture layout. This also means that you should not force patients to move your waiting room chairs to create access.
The purpose of the entire setup is to make your patients feel welcome and valued the moment they step into your waiting room.
Beyond Comfort: Features That Drive Satisfaction
Comfortable waiting room chairs are just the start.
The best waiting room chair setups have variety. Not every patient wants to sit in the same position, nor do they require the same support or style.
Consider building different areas within your waiting room that include:
- individual seating for privacy
- coffee table clusters for family groups
- quiet work zones for professionals
- kids-friendly zones with the appropriate seating
Why does this matter?
Because variety gives patients a choice in their seating, which can help lower their stress and anxiety levels when they must wait. When patients feel like they have some control over their seating, they perceive wait times as shorter and rate their experience more positively.
Here’s another factor that most healthcare providers miss…
Spacing is just as critical as the chairs themselves. You must also provide your patients with enough legroom to stretch out and give others enough space to pass by when standing. This is also a significant element in accessibility for wheelchair-bound or walking-challenged patients.
The Lighting Connection
Patients have to be able to read magazines, paperwork, or the television when they visit your medical practice, so the lighting is essential.
Patients should have access to sufficient light, but don’t overlook the problem with harsh fluorescent lighting. Consider creating a variety of seating choices that complement your lighting design to give your waiting room a homely rather than clinical appearance.
Maintenance & Longevity
Quality waiting room chairs are an investment, not an expense.
Do not simply think about the initial cost of the chairs but factor in total costs of ownership. If you buy a bunch of chairs from a local retailer that require replacing every three years, it will cost you more than high-quality chairs that last for ten or more years.
Look for:
- reinforced frames to support high daily usage
- commercial-grade fabrics used in healthcare environments
- solid warranties to protect your purchase
- access to replacement parts for repairs
Waiting room chairs should last your practice for years to come and maintain their appearance and functionality.
The Bottom Line
Waiting rooms are more than just spaces for patients to pass the time while waiting.
It’s the first chapter in your patients’ healthcare story. And quality, comfortable waiting room chairs have a starring role to play in your patient’s story.
When you make the right investment in quality reception and waiting room chairs, you are also improving patient satisfaction, retention, and the reputation of your medical practice.
Patients who feel comfortable and valued while they are in your waiting room arrive for their appointment in a much better state of mind. They are more relaxed and willing to communicate with their healthcare providers and far more likely to become loyal patients.
That is the power of getting the basics right.
Start today by evaluating your waiting room chair setup. Are your current chairs supporting your patients or working against you? Are your chairs inclusive enough to ensure that everyone who walks into your waiting room feels welcome and valued?
Make the necessary changes that will improve patient experience, and your patients will notice the difference.
