Assignment: Waiting Room Analysis
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Feng Shui Guidelines

Health Clinic, Hospital, or Doctor’s Office Waiting Room Project:

You must visit a waiting room at a doctor’s office (any type of medical doctor’s office in any location). In a 2-3 page double-spaced typed paper (1 inch margins; 12 pt. font) describe the layout and design of the waiting room. Draw a diagram on a separate page (not to be included as part of the 2-3 page requirement). Feel free to take a picture too! You must assess the impact of the layout and design on patient’s sense of comfort and well-being. You should provide suggestions for making the room more comfortable and inviting if warranted. Consider the elements we discussed in class. Be specific in your answers.

Answer the following questions and make sure you discuss whether or not each element had a positive or negative effect on the atmosphere.

  1. What is the name and location of the facility you chose to analyze?
  2. Cleanliness and tidiness: Was the office space clean? Was it uncluttered and tidy?
  3. Lighting: Was fluorescent or incandescent lighting used? Were the lights bright or dim? Was it appropriate?
  4. Windows: Were there windows present? Were they “dressed?” How much light filtered through and was it distracting or helpful?
  5. Plants: Were there live (or dead) or fake plants?
  6. Scents: Were scents used strategically? How so? Were they effective? Were there unintentional odors present from the office or areas near by? If so, what were the odors and what was effect did they have?
  7. The receptionist’s desk: Where was it placed? Was it “manned” at all times? Was staff behind a window?
  8. Bathroom placement and condition: Was the bathroom near the front door? Was it clean and well stocked? Were scents used?
  9. Entrance and front door: Was the entrance cluttered? What was the parking lot like outside the office? What about the path to the front door? Was it straight, curved, lined with plants/flowers?
  10. Reading materials: What were they and were they up-to-date?
  11. TV: Was there a TV on? Where was it placed? Was it easy to see and hear? Was it distracting? What was playing on the TV?
  12. Furniture: How was it arranged? Did anyone have to sit with their back to a window, corridor or a door? Was the furniture comfortable? Why or why not? Was it in good condition?
  13. Artwork: Was there artwork? What did it look like? Was it pleasant?
  14. Colors: What colors were mainly used? Were these appropriate for the environment?
  15. Outside buildings, environment: Was the office on a busy street? Was the building in proportion to those around it?
  16. How big or small was the space? Was it big enough to patients to sit comfortably?
  17. How many rooms/areas does the waiting room contain? Should new rooms be built or partitioned off to meet certain needs?
  18. How many people were there in the waiting room when you went to visit? How many could fit comfortably?
  19. Feng Shui principles: Were there “poison arrows” inside or outside the structure? How could the “chi” be enhanced? Choose some other ideas that we discussed in class to write about (yin/yang; elements; colors, placement, etc).
  20. Other? What else did you notice but was not mentioned above?
  21. In general, how comfortable, inviting, and "healthy" was the space?
  22. What specific improvements could be made to the space?

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This page last updated August 21, 2007

Arkansas State University