The Patient Perspective of Waiting Room Medicine

Emergency department (ED) crowding has necessitated "waiting room medicine"—the evaluation and initiation of care by emergency physicians (EPs) or advanced practice providers in non-treatment spaces. Unlike "Provider-in-Triage" models, EPs at our institution maintain longitudinal responsibility for patients throughout their ED course. We sought to characterize patient perceptions of satisfaction, privacy, and quality of care regarding this practice.

We conducted a prospective observational survey at an urban Level I tertiary care center with an annual volume of 55,000 patients from February to March 2025. A convenience sample of patients initially evaluated in the waiting room by an EP before placement in a definitive treatment space was enrolled. Trained research assistants administered a survey derived from Emergency Department Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (EDCAHPS) domains. Primary outcomes included patient agreement (Likert scale) with statements regarding quality of care, timeliness, and privacy. We calculated descriptive statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Out of 116 patients approached, 100 were enrolled in the study, and 99 completed the survey. Among the respondents, 46.5% were male and 46.5% were female. Overall, patients viewed the practice of waiting room medicine positively. Specifically, 95% (95% CI, 88.7–98.4%) appreciated being seen by an emergency physician in the waiting room, and 85% (95% CI, 76.5–91.4%) agreed that it was a “good practice.” In terms of quality and efficiency, 88% of patients felt the practice provided high-quality care, 70% believed it expedited care, and 77% believed it did not cause delays. Regarding concerns about waiting room medicine, 95% reported that the practice respected patient privacy, and 85% disagreed that evaluations were rushed.

Patients perceive “waiting room medicine” favorably, reporting high satisfaction and perceived quality of care. Despite the unconventional setting, patients value early physician engagement and do not feel that privacy or quality of care is compromised. Future research should evaluate its effects on quality metrics, patient throughput, and physician and nursing perspectives.