Daylight Access and Waiting Experiences in Cancer Hospitals

ObjectiveTo clarify the influence of daylight access on patients' and their companions' stress perception and coping behavior (communication) in cancer hospital waiting areas.BackgroundIn patient care, managing stress and encouraging effective coping strategies are essential. Daylight has shown as a modulator of stress responses and coping behaviors. Limited research has been done regarding the impact of daylight access on the waiting experience of cancer patients and their companions.MethodsEmpirical data were collected through on-site observations and questionnaire surveys in 30 waiting areas across seven cancer hospitals in China. Based on responses from 419 patients and 371 family companions, we examined differences in stress and communication between groups in the areas with and without daylight access. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the significance of daylight access and communication in predicting stress.ResultsPatients and families in the areas with daylight access communicated more with peers (<i>p</i> ≤ .05) and perceived less stress (<i>p</i> ≤ .10) compared to those in windowless areas. They also communicated more with nurses, though this difference was not statistically significant (<i>p</i> > .10). Participants who engaged in more peer communication reported less stress (<i>p</i> = 0.00). Daylight access and peer communication significantly contributed to stress reduction, explaining over 15% of the variance in stress, along with personal and social variables in modeling.ConclusionAccess to daylight in the waiting areas of cancer hospitals reduces stress and promotes communication among patients and family companions. Healthcare facilities should provide daylight access in their waiting areas to reduce stress and encourage communication.