Is the waiting room stressing your patients and their families?
What if there’s an easy, cost-effective solution for transforming your wait area into a relaxing, restorative environment?
When I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in 2013, my caregiving wife and I embarked on an oncological odyssey to dozens of medical facilities, doctor’s offices and hospitals. These appointments included stress-inducing scans, biopsies, consultations, radiation treatments, chemo infusions, follow-ups and surgeries. We spent a lot of time sitting in waiting rooms.
It was all too common to hear the TV emanating intense, dramatic bulletins with banners flashing, “News Alert!” Or, we’d hear chatty talk shows and rowdy game shows with strident voices, buzzers, canned laughter and applause. Unless the staff turned down the volume or changed the channel, there was no relief from the intrusive programs. In one major hospital, an oncologist admitted he had no control over the intense shows on the waiting room TV because the staff behind the counter controlled the programs, tuning to the channels they wanted to watch.
Three things prompted us to do research on the waiting room environment. First, it seemed these types of shows had a mesmerizing effect, making it difficult to avoid getting pulled in and subsequently stressed out. Second, we noticed others in the waiting rooms looking frazzled and tense. Third, yet another oncologist shared that he wished his patients were much less anxious and stressed by the time he met with them.
Interesting facts about patients and their doctor visits:
- In 2003, the Journal of Architectural and Planning Research published a study focused on blood donors in a clinic waiting area. Those who watched daytime (or “high stimulation”) TV had significantly increased blood pressure and pulse rate compared to the donors who watched scenes of nature (or “low stimulation” TV).
- In 2016 CNBC reported 63 percent of surveyed patients said the most stressful thing about going to their physician was waiting.
- In 2015, the American Journal of Managed Care cited a study revealing that one doctor’s visit averages about 87 minutes in the office, while only 20 of those minutes are actually spent in the presence of a physician.
What if waiting room TV could be used to benefit patients instead of stressing them?
This frequent and stressful experience in waiting rooms inspired us to produce Loving Meditations TV (LMTV), programs designed to give patients and their loved ones a soothing and relaxing experience while waiting for health care services.
If you’re a health care professional, take a moment and visualize this…
LMTV has transformed your waiting area into an environment of calm. Your patients and their families are watching spectacular nature images accompanied by expansive and inspiring music, thought-provoking facts about nature, the human body, and the mind’s amazing capabilities. This mindful messaging is creating a positive and relaxing atmosphere. As a result, when you’re ready to meet your patient, they are more tranquil, present and receptive. Overall, patient satisfaction improves and even your staff seems more happy and productive.
40892727 – thoughtful attractive middle-aged blond woman looking up into the air with a quiet smile
Here’s what a happy customer expressed in April 2018:
“We love Loving Meditations TV and our clients love it as well. We have several who come in early just to watch and de-stress before sessions. It’s doing its job!” – Kelly, Whole Life Solutions
Try our cost-effective and easy-to-use LMTV today.
You’ll see how adding mindfulness to your wait area benefits all:
https://lovingmeditations.com/loving-meditations-waiting-room-tv/
Additional Images racorn / 123RF Stock Photo
