Smells Like Success

You might have given a lot of thought to improving the look of your waiting room by repainting, upgrading your furniture and putting some plants in strategic places. It’s already a much more pleasant space to look at and more comfortable to sit in. But have you considered how scent might affect your patients while they wait?

Up to 75% of our emotions are tied to our sense of smell, so it’s logical to use smell to improve the patient experience. By using scent, you can create a sense of calm and have your patients connecting emotionally to a time when they felt happy, rather than the anxiety they may typically feel in a waiting room.

Other benefits of using scent in a waiting room include:

• Studies have shown that patients feel less pain when a pleasant smell is present in a medical setting, which can only benefit the reputation of your practice and improve the patient experience.
• Getting rid of the ‘hospital smell’ that many people dislike in a medical office and which can create anxiety.
• Enhancing the feeling of cleanliness with scent, making the waiting room feel fresh and inviting.

The easiest ways to use scent in your waiting room are:

• Essential oil diffusers - just a few drops of a brightening essential oil such as orange, lemon or neroli is enough to keep your waiting room smelling amazing without being overpowering.
• Plug-in air fresheners - many brands make plug-ins that come in very light, fresh fragrances and do a great job to eliminate any odors or antiseptic smells in your office.
• Open windows - wherever possible, having fresh air flowing through your practice is a great option. If the weather and conditions allow, even having the windows open for 30 minutes per day will keep the waiting room fresh and clean.

All these options are very inexpensive (or free!) and something you can start on today without any effort. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to smell success with an upgrade to the air in your waiting room.?