Optimizing your reception area.

Through the optimization of reception areas (waiting rooms), physicians can improve the medical experiences of their patients. A qualitative investigation identified issues relevant to improving the quality of the reception area and was used to develop a thorough questionnaire. Most patients were satisfied with accessibility, reception area conditions, and performance of doctors and nurses. The main reasons for dissatisfaction were due to remediable points. No correlations were found between patient satisfaction and age, sex, or religion. A 36-item checklist for satisfaction with reception areas is offered as a useful tool for health quality self-assessment.