Huber and Bailey evaluated how ambulatory patient waiting room design influences women’s moods. They had women (18-35 years old) look at images of various waiting rooms, and found that “Responses from 1,114 participants revealed mutual preferences for sociopetal seating [for example, in a ring facing inward], positive distractions, neutral colors, and welcoming and calming environments. Yet, Black participants indicated significantly greater importance in seeing ethnically/racially similar patients and healthcare providers and strategies that promote transparency, including image-based provider directories and views into the clinic. By investigating the impact of the waiting room environment on patient affect and comparing perceptions across three demographic groups of women, this study offers insights into potential strategies for improving access to preventative care services by creating more welcoming ambulatory care waiting environments.”
Amy Huber and Rachel Bailey. 2024. “Designing Worthy Waiting Spaces: A Cross-Cultural Study of Waiting Room Features and Their Impact on Women’s Affective States.” HERD: Health Environments Research and Design, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 112-126, doi: 10.1177/19375867231204979