ABSTRACT
The changes that occurred in the cystic fibrosis clinic were of a different quality than those in any of the other clinics. The large brightly colored new waiting room, wide corridors and tastefully furnished examination rooms all had a cheering effect on families attending the clinic. There was an effort on the part of the nursing staff, physicians and auxiliary personnel to hearten families and especially children during clinic visits. The waiting room area was equipped with blackboards and colored chalk, with low tables and children's chairs, used by nurses and auxiliary staff to engage the children in play while waiting for clinic services. Physicians were also more relaxed in the new examination rooms and spent time in socializing and in attempting to get children to feel more at home. The staff was quite happy with the new quarters and wished to make as good use of them as possible in the service of families. The expansion of the medical areas enabled physicians to spend more time individually with families, and the increase in laboratory facilities and private physicians’ offices had a positive effect on the morale of the medical staff. In addition, a large nursing station was provided for the head nurse and her assistant; the area was used as a place of retreat by the nurse when the stress of clinic activities became too great. (See Figure C-III-1, p. 34above.)
