Does playing classical music during an office visit improve patient outcomes?

The Impact of Classical Music During Office Visits on Patient Outcomes

Playing classical music during office visits can improve patient outcomes by decreasing anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure, while potentially enhancing the quality of communication between patients and healthcare providers. 1, 2

Evidence for Music in Healthcare Settings

Benefits for Patients

• Classical music has been shown to decrease anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure in patients, which can lead to improved health outcomes 1, 2
• Listening to classical music can improve quality of life in patients with chronic conditions such as heart failure 2
• Music can create a more comfortable environment that may help patients feel more secure and reduce stress during medical encounters 3
• In a study of patient preferences, 71% of patients preferred background music in care areas over ordinary sounds 4

Impact on Communication and Privacy

• An enhanced acoustical environment may facilitate better communication between patients and staff 1
• However, music should be at an appropriate volume to ensure it doesn't interfere with critical communication during the visit 1
• Some patients report withholding portions of their medical history due to privacy concerns in spaces with inadequate sound absorption 1

Guidelines for Implementation

Type of Music

• Classical music specifically has demonstrated benefits in healthcare settings 1, 2
• One level I study showed that exposure to classical music before a medical procedure enhanced practical skills requiring spatial temporal reasoning compared to other music genres 1
• Classical music may have a calming effect that helps decrease anxiety in both patients and providers 1

Volume and Delivery Considerations

• Music should be played at a moderate volume that allows for clear communication 1
• Avoid dichotic (conflicting) or unpleasant music, which has been shown to have negative effects on performance and communication 1
• Consider providing patients with options to listen to their preferred music without disturbing others 1

Professional Considerations

Provider Preferences and Performance

• Music preferences vary by specialty - anesthesiologists tend to prefer classical and jazz/blues at lower volumes, while surgeons favor top 40 music at higher volumes 5
• Pleasant music has been shown to have a beneficial effect on healthcare provider performance 1
• Classical music virtual reality experiences have been shown to reduce burnout in healthcare workers 6
• Music can improve concentration and efficiency when performing routine tasks for experienced healthcare providers 1

Potential Limitations and Considerations

• Patient demographics strongly influence music style preferences - consider your patient population when selecting music 4
• Black ethnicity has been independently associated with lower preference for background music in care areas (OR: 0.47,95% CI: 0.23,0.98) 4
• Novice providers may find music distracting when performing complex or unfamiliar tasks 1
• Self-selected music that is enjoyable to the listener appears to provide the greatest benefit 1

Implementation Recommendations

• Consider implementing classical music in waiting areas and examination rooms to reduce patient anxiety 1, 2
• Allow patients to express preferences about music during their visit 4
• Use sound-absorbing materials (e.g., curtains, ceiling tiles) in conjunction with music to create an optimal acoustic environment 1
• Monitor the impact of music on both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes 2

By thoughtfully implementing classical music in office visits, healthcare providers can potentially improve patient outcomes through reduced anxiety, enhanced communication, and a more positive healthcare experience.