The Waiting Room

I am in and out of doctor's offices quite a bit. But this blog is not about my health, it's about an issue I see ALL THE TIME with the rooms we sit in while we wait to hear what's wrong with us. 

Today I was in a waiting room, waiting the appropriate 40 minutes past my appointment time to see my doctor. While waiting, I scrolled through my phone's Pinterest app looking for Halloween costumes for Ben and I to wear this Halloween. While scrolling through gems like this:

I couldn't help but hear what was blaring on the TV in the center of the room. Some talk show host was asking a woman to lift her shirt and show her "3 boob chest" to the program viewers. Uh...what? Between this display, the fluorescent lighting and the uncomfortable chairs, I thought for what must be the millionth time - something has got to change with waiting rooms. Then my name was called to sit in a private oatmeal colored room about the size of a walk-in closet and wait for my doctor for another 30 minutes. In place of the television set, this stared at me while I waited:

I don't know about you, but when I'm waiting to find out what's wrong with me (which by itself is a pretty crappy feeling), I'd like to look at something different. Pretty much anything different, really. So I started brainstorming... How much time do the owners of these practices spend on deciding the decor for their offices? I know they put the majority of their efforts into far more important things like curing us (duh) which of course I am grateful for - BUT could the change of atmosphere make a difference in a patient's life? And not just for the patient, but the doctors who spend all their time in these places? Even if it's a small difference, would it be worth the cost? 

So I did a little research - and actually - the answer is yes, it makes a big difference. Studies show that patients feel a waiting room directly reflects the doctor they are waiting to see, so atmosphere really does matter. And art can improve an atmosphere soooo much! I read in the following article that art can not only be calming to patients and remind them of a happier time in their life (hello distraction from being sick!) but this also promotes a better healing environment due to their positive physocological responses to the art.  
Check out this article: "Waiting Rooms Can Promote Patient Heath" 

So my question for you all is - do you know any interior designers who do things like this that I could speak to? Do you know of any office owners of any medical practice that would consider taking a look at my art to help promote a more relaxing environment for their patients? Are you an artist looking to make a difference in a sick person's environment, too? 

^ My drawing of the Outer Banks, edited to be peach & is available in many other colors

I'm sick of being sick. But I'm sick of being sick in depressing rooms and looking at creepy posters. I know others feel the same way. Comment below! Let's fix this!