There’s music in the air – for most of you.
Nearly all respondents to a recent Women In Optometry Pop-up Poll said that music in the office makes their day. The poll asked readers if and where music is played throughout the office.
One-third say they play music everywhere, including the exam lanes. Two-thirds opt to keep their exam lanes quiet but play music everywhere else.
You’re most likely to hear pop and classic rock, according to our results. Jazz was also a favorite among seven percent of respondents. Others wrote in the genres – and they ranged widely, showing the breadth of music itself: classical, country, blend, religious, piano and pre-1990s decades.
WHO’S CHOOSIN’ THE TUNE?
About 37% of respondents said that whoever is working that day chooses the music. Nearly 41% said it’s the doctor or owner who chooses the specific genre, songs or channels used to play the music. Numerous respondents also reported using local radio stations.
Some respondents said:
“No music? May as well be a funeral parlor. Gotta have background music or the day drags on and waits seem like forever.”
“People don’t comment on [the music].”
“We’ve recently added a TV to our waiting area that usually just plays HGTV on mute.”
“We have Sirius XM and put it on various channels, but mostly back and forth from R&B and Spanish language music. I allow the staff to decide. They know what is appropriate and do well at keeping at something that most of our demographic would like.”
“We get lots of positive comments from our patients for playing Christian music.”
“We use Spotify with our own instrumental play list.”
“Patients really enjoy hearing music, and we find music makes patients comfortable when they hear ‘their jam’ and sing along.”
“Music is a MUST! Not just for morale and mental health, but to drown out conversations across the office which reduces the risk of any HIPAA protected info being overheard by other patients.”
Almost 45% of respondents reported that they were female ODs, and 31% were non-OD females. Another nearly 21% were male ODs. The remainder chose not to specify gender.
To view other WO polls and responses, click here.
Read this story on what patients want to hear in medical offices.
