Harmonious Health: Study Reveals Impact of Music Choices in Healthcare Waiting Rooms

New research by practice management company Tebra has uncovered the song with the most positive impact on patients in healthcare waiting rooms. 

Analyzing 286 Spotify playlists associated with healthcare environments, Tebra found that ‘Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey claimed the top spot, followed by tracks like ‘I’m Like a Bird’ by Nelly Furtado and ‘Africa’ by TOTO. 

Interestingly, Taylor Swift emerged as the most popular artist, appearing 1,418 times, while The Beatles, Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, and Fleetwood Mac were also frequent choices.

“Our findings highlight the role of music in creating a positive atmosphere for patients during their wait,” noted Tebra’s research team.

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Musical Preferences: Patients Weigh In

Tebra’s study extended beyond playlists to survey over 1,000 patients in the US on their music preferences in waiting rooms. Metal emerged as the least favored genre, with 31% expressing a dislike for it, followed by hip-hop/rap at 26%. Notably, half of the respondents deemed classical music the most relaxing, though its association with a longer perceived wait time raised interesting considerations.

“Understanding patient preferences allows healthcare providers to curate environments that contribute to a positive experience,” stated the research team.

Genre Associations: From Relaxation to Anxiety

Classical, jazz, and country music were associated with relaxation but also with a longer perceived wait time in healthcare settings. Jazz, surprisingly, was linked to the shortest perceived wait time and deemed the most calming by a third of respondents. However, in dental practices, pop music was linked with the shortest wait time but also with the highest association with anxiety.

“Balancing the impact of music on perceived wait time and emotional response is crucial for optimizing patient experience,” emphasized the research findings.

Musical Tastes and Health Habits

Beyond preferences, Tebra’s research delved into the habits of respondents based on their musical choices. Folk fans admitted to being dishonest with healthcare professionals more frequently (31%) compared to classical fans (20%). Country and classical music enthusiasts were more likely to visit healthcare professionals regularly, while metal fans reported infrequent visits. 

Surprisingly, fans of country, electronic, indie, folk, and punk music were found to be the healthiest overall, with R&B/soul, jazz, hip-hop/rap, rock, and metal enthusiasts associated with lower overall health.

“The correlation between musical preferences and health habits adds an intriguing layer to our understanding of patient behavior,” concluded the research team.