Making Better Waiting Room TV with Digital Signage

When people step into the waiting room of a medical facility, the first thing they encounter isn't the doctor or nurse - it's the information. Clear, concise, and comprehensible information is the cornerstone of any health institution. And nothing delivers this as effectively and efficiently as waiting room signage.

And when it comes to keeping people informed, the best waiting room signs are digital.

Not only do digital signs modernize your space, but they also offer a much-needed service in any medical waiting room environment - from doctors and dentists to surgeons and hospitals.

If you're looking at how to offer a better service to visitors with your waiting room signage, we're going to dig into why and how to go digital.

The Problems with Medical Waiting Rooms

Look in almost any doctors waiting room or medical waiting area and you'll spy a TV screen. At best, this might be running a slideshow loop of reminders about health and safety. At worst, it's probably showing rolling news channels.

Patients visiting a doctors office or medical clinic are possibly already anxious. And rolling news does nothing to help this. In fact, studies show that in a high stress environment such as a hospital, news channels can actually make anxiety and stress worse.

As well as the stress of world news beamed to waiting patients, a lack of information can also cause additional anxiety. Perceived waiting time, cause by lack of information about estimated times to be seen or queue management displays, has been shown to be a contributing factor to stress and anxiety.

The Benefits of Using Digital Signage in a Waiting Area

Most medical practices have a variety of signs, which are used to share information on a range of subjects from additional services, or upcoming events to public health matters or contact information and instructions.

Using digital waiting room signs for doctors offices or medical clinics gives several benefits, including:

1. Efficient Information Delivery: Medical facilities are bustling places where updates are constant. Waiting room digital signage can deliver real-time updates quickly. They're also perfect for feeding news relevant to your patients such as health tips, precautionary measures, visiting hours etc.
2. Improved Patient Satisfaction: A well-informed patient is a satisfied one. When patients know exactly what's happening and what's expected of them, it's less likely they will feel anxious or frustrated.
3. Interactive Visitor Experience: Interactive screens go a step further, allowing patients to retrieve information tailored to their needs, at their own pace.
4. Reduced Perceived Wait Time: Integrating engaging content or entertainment like trivia or news can make the waiting experience less monotonous. It might not speed up the waiting time, but it can also be useful to educate and inform your customers.
5. Staff Efficiency: Waiting room digital signage can reduce the amount of time staff spend sharing basic information with patients. Use your digital signage to share information and messages relating to accessing your services or even how to reduce their wait time in future.
6. Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Many medical waiting room TVs stream live news channels which can often contribute to anxiety and stress.

Read more: The benefits of digital signage in healthcare.

What Information Can You Display on a Digital Waiting Room Screen?

While the possibilities are limitless, here are a few specific types of content your waiting room digital signage can display:

1. Medical Information: Sharing general health tips, nutritional advice, hygiene practices or other lifestyle advice is one of the most popular use of screens in waiting rooms.
2. Appointment Notifications: Once your patients have checked in, you can use waiting room digital signage to display the name of patients and the room number or location they need to head to.
3. News and Updates: Highlight any changes in your practice, including new staff arrivals, upcoming new services or changes in office policies.
4. Advertising Content: Increase your surgery office revenue by hosting ads from local businesses. With a captive audience every day, your medical practice can display ads to customers while they wait for their appointments.
5. Educational Content: Explainer videos or graphics can make it easier for patients to understand complex medical terms or procedures. Of course, you'll need to keep it simple, but this can be a great way to help your visitors understand medical terms while they wait.
6. Interactive Content: Quizzes related to health, wellness, or medical facts can enhance patient interaction. This also doesn't mean you need an interactive screen... You could direct people to your website in order to sign up for a prize draw, or direct them to fun and useful content on your site.
7. On-site Directions: For larger medical facilities, it can be useful to provide information relating to navigating around or finding certain services. Display a map showing the way to the bathrooms or doctors office.

What Screens Can You Use For Digital Signage?

Most digital signs in waiting areas are displayed on LCD screens such as standard smart TVs or sometimes on repurposed computer monitors or large Android tablets.

You can use any screen that is connected to the internet to display digital signage content. We recommend using a Smart TV such as Samsung Tizen, LG webOS or other.

Medical practices also often use standalone digital displays or touchscreen monitors, which are usually for guests to sign in.

When it comes to displaying messages and information, the preferred method is usually via wall mounted TV screens.

Find out how to set up digital signage in our guide.

What Do I Need to Improve Our Waiting Room TV?

Setting up waiting room TV screens using digital signage is simple and involves three main elements:

1. A Screen or Monitor: Depending on the needs of your waiting room, this could be anything from a standard television screen, a projector, or an interactive tablet. Chances are you already have waiting room TVs, so you can use these.
2. A Media Player: If your TV screen isn't already a smart TV (such as Samsung Tizen, Sony Bravia etc) then you'll need a way to connect your software. Something like our PIXI player or another digital signage media player will do the trick.
3. Digital Signage Software: ScreenCloud offers user-friendly digital signage software that allows you to manage your content with ease. You can even try ScreenCloud for free.
4. Content: Of course, you need content tailored to your specific needs and audience demographic. Using digital signage software such as ScreenCloud gives you access to a huge range of content sources and app integrations, from social media apps to custom content.
5. Sign In Systems: Whichever medical sign in systems you're using, you can also integrate these with your display.

Using ScreenCloud for Waiting Room TV Software

Take control of your waiting room TV screens with a digital signage system. ScreenCloud is designed to help you create engaging content that communicates with your audience and improves the patient experience.

ScreenCloud is easy to setup, connecting to any smart TV in minutes. You can then download your choice of apps, connect your healthcare queue management software and automate your content.

Book a free demo to find out more - or sign up for a 14 day free trial today.

Find out more about ScreenCloud for healthcare displays.