When we think about healthcare facility design, we often focus on clinical spaces like the operating rooms, ICUs, and imaging suites where lifesaving interventions occur. But the emotional journey begins far earlier, often in a waiting room.
Research on how waiting affects emotions, perception, and well-being offers valuable insights for healthcare facility design that can help to reduce stress and provide support for patients and their families.
Our healthcare team has taken proven principles from David Maister’s influential work “The Psychology of Waiting Lines” and translated them into actionable design solutions that improve the overall patient experience.
Meet The Author
Rhonda Malone Wyskiel, RN, MSN, EDAC, is a highly respected healthcare leader with over 27 years of experience spanning clinical practice, performance improvement, patient safety, and healthcare design. As a Principal in the Healthcare Studio at HCM, Rhonda brings the voice of the clinician directly into the planning and design process, offering a rare and invaluable perspective that elevates outcomes for patients, staff, and health systems.