Wow. I don't like the idea of their coming to your office. I could probably think of 10 reasons, but one right off the bat, would be it would seem like Sick Man Walking. You on your throne, and they walk in and sit down. In two of these scenarios you have this desk between you and your patient.
I guess in order to give advice, one has to share what they do unless they like doing it in a way they don't like.
Personally, if the door opens against a wall, imagine the left wall, I would rather the computer stuff and chairs be on the right. Then you can get eye contact right away. On our Superbills the cheap complaint is already on the sheet at the bottom, so you have some idea why they are there. Although, I have been burned a few times on this. So, I tend to sit down and ask them what they are here for today without yet going into the computer. After I do, read the HPI from the nurse and add to it. I don't know...it seems to make the patient feel like the visit is more about him or her, then the computer.
The desk is just a table with the necessities, monitor on the left near the patient who is sitting in a chair just to the left of the table. Computer and all the other computer stuff under the table. I can then not only see the patient, but we are four to five feet away and, at any time, I can set down the pen and clipboard and look directly at the patient and listen.
The monitor is angled toward me so they can't read that I am looking up Type 2b heart block (I know nothing of this so please don't pick on me). But, many times I show the weight curve or a Google image, and it is easy, because I can just turn the monitor a little. There is another chair adjacent to that chair where another historian can sit. There are a couple of other chairs on the other wall facing the patient where the people that interrupt and know more than everyone sit and can talk and talk.
Then to the far left against the wall is the exam table. I suppose it could be out from the wall, so you can walk to the other side, but blood pressure cuffs, etc. can be there, and I am a pediatrician so you don't want two-year-olds falling or jumping off.
The wall on the other side of the patient can have a little 27 inch TV that shows information with a counter showing them how long they are waiting. When I hit the CPT code, it flashes the charge and tells them they owe a $400 balance. JUST KIDDING, but, hey not a bad idea; lol.
Just my way. I have used it for ten years and never changed it, partly because our rooms tend to fit this design.
