How Chair Placement Can Improve Your Health

Do you sit down to talk to people?

This seemingly minor adjustment results in a noticeable improvement in patient satisfaction, underscoring the importance of communication, not just in healthcare settings.

When doctors take the time to sit down, it sends a powerful message: they are willing to engage, listen, and provide their full attention. This simple gesture fosters a more empathetic environment, making patients feel heard and valued. But it shouldn’t stop there. To truly enhance communication, healthcare providers must also consider the broader physical layout of consultation spaces. Creating an environment that encourages open dialogue is essential, particularly in a healthcare system where time is often limited and interactions can feel rushed and impersonal. Patients are more likely to feel understood when their doctor meets them at eye level, rather than standing over them.

Enhancing communication between doctors and patients creates a win-win scenario. As demonstrated by Stewart et al.,2000, healthcare providers who build stronger relationships with patients see improved health outcomes. Patients are more likely to follow treatment plans, leading to quicker recoveries and better overall health. Clear communication also reduces the need for excessive diagnostics and referrals, as patients who feel heard and understood are more likely to trust their doctor’s advice, potentially lowering the workload for hospitals and GP practices.

Despite these benefits, hospitals and GP practices face significant challenges in fostering strong doctor-patient relationships. The sheer volume of work, coupled with increasing patient loads and administrative tasks, limits the time doctors can spend with each patient. This pressure makes it difficult to maintain continuity of care, particularly in community settings where patients may see different doctors at each visit. Consequently, the opportunity to build lasting rapport is often compromised, affecting the quality of patient care and satisfaction.

Quality healthcare goes beyond advanced treatments; it’s fundamentally about meeting patient expectations. Patients often judge the quality of care by how well their needs and concerns are addressed. When healthcare providers align their approach with these expectations—through active listening, clear communication, and empathy—patients perceive their care as higher quality. The more recent study I referred to earlier from Iyer et al., 2023 on chair placement, reinforces this, showing that simple gestures fostering connection can significantly enhance patient satisfaction. Healthcare providers should be encouraged to adopt practices that promote trust and communication, recognising that these elements are foundational to effective care.

It’s crucial to recognise that the successful implementation of these seemingly small practices hinges on adequate funding and institutional support. Without the necessary resources, even the best intentions may fall short. The research also showed that when chairs are conveniently placed near a patient’s bedside, doctors are more likely to sit during consultations. Improving doctor-patient communication isn’t just about the way we speak to patients—it’s about how we design our healthcare environments to foster meaningful, empathetic interactions. By focusing on small yet impactful changes like chair placement, we can make significant strides toward a more patient-centred healthcare system.