Parents' perception of environmental variables in pediatric offices

In a study of 15 pediatric practices the effects of 16 reception room variables upon the comfort and behavior of children were investigated. A total of 300 parents were requested to rate the variables as to their relative importance to the child's comfort and behavior when well and when acutely ill. Variables were differentially ranked both within and between situations. The 'human oriented' variables were perceived as generally more important in the care of an acutely ill child. For the well child, a mixture of 'human oriented' and 'physical' variables were perceived as having an impact on the comfort and behavior of the patient.