Waiting room fish bowl

I'm sorry your experience has not been good. my waiting room is for women only and has a bathroom and changing area with locks on the lockers. There has never been more than one other woman waiting. They only have one rads machine there. I enjoy talking to the other women about their experience. It's mostly the same people there each day.

My rads waiting room had locks on the lockers (Thank goodness: not sure I would have tolerated it otherwise...so I would speak up about that aspect in particular. Let them know you are concerned about theft as well as privacy.)...but otherwise, my experience was much like yours. Small waiting room, one bathroom. You did see the same people every day, for the most part, and some of those people seemed to enjoy chatting and sharing stories with others waiting. I've also heard of folks here on the Boards who enjoyed that aspect. I most definitely DID NOT. I am not generally a fan of chatting with strangers (though I find it to be easier on the internet :-)) and I REALLY DID NOT want to hear someone else's 'story' as it increased my own anxiety. My solution was to always bring a book and always bury my head in it while waiting. If someone tried to chat, I'd smile absently and as if I was distracted, maybe say a word or two (or not) and go back to the book...

Fortunately, there was only one day when there was much of a wait (due to some equipment failure); otherwise I didn't spend much time in the waiting room. Also fortunately, I loved the staff, which made the entire experience a bit less dreadful.

I am sorry you have lost your sense of privacy.

Octogirl

My waiting room had changing cubicals with locks, two restrooms, and several sitting areas. (There were also beverages and snacks available as well as (muted) t.v. screens and an ongoing jigsaw puzzle. The techs NEVER called out names - they would come up to us to let us quietly know when they were ready for us and only used our first names when they addressed us in that space. I never felt exposed or uncomfortable. I guess I was one of the lucky ones!

However, anytime there's a question of this nature the only way the concern will be addressed is by speaking up. Talk to one of the staff and find out who can assist with the concern. Sure - come here to vent but don't let it stop there. Usually there is something that can be done for you but you'll only find out by asking.

Oh wow. I did not see the coed part. Our area was for patients only. We did not have any male patients at the times I was there. I went to the Speilman at Ohio State and it is for breast cancer patients only. I can understand you even discomfort