Types of scheduling in a Medical office
                     Types of scheduling 
in a Medical office
Waiting while visiting a physician frustrate to a 
patient. There Should be a scheduled check-up 
that saves time for both the patient and 
practitioner. Scheduling an appointment depends 
on different factors. There should be a proper 
appointment scheduling which will determine 
which patient will visit the physician. There are 
Some common type of appointment scheduling 
that we will be discussed.
Open office Hours
This is an most common used type of  scheduling there 
is no previous booking in that particular  type of 
scheduling. Patients are seen by the physician in the 
order of their arrival. In this method, the physician 
doesn’t have to worry about a patient breaking an 
appointment. The main disadvantage of this system is 
that it increases the wait times for patients and keeps 
the physician extremely busy for a part of the day.
Scheduled 
Appointments
This is a more planned and easiest method of patient 
scheduling without keeping the wait time high for 
patients. It aligns the patient visits depending on the 
number of patients arriving and the average time 
required for each patient. It also keeps breaks for the 
physician and keeps him less burdened.
Flexible Office Hours
This type of scheduling is done for patients who 
could not visit the office during normal working 
hours. Evening and weekend hours are generally 
kept free for such patients.
Wave Scheduling
This type of scheduling involves giving the same 
slot within an hour to 3-4 patients and the one 
arriving first sees the doctor first. It saves time of 
practitioner as if one patient runs late the other is 
there and can be seen. In some cases, it might 
increase the wait time for patients if all of them 
arrive on time.
Advanced Scheduling
This type of scheduling involves booking 
appointments day or month in advance. It is often 
done for regular health checkups or surgical 
procedures. Advanced scheduling requires medical 
office staff to call and remind the patients about 
their appointments a few days or hours before 
their slot. It also requires 24 hours’ notice to 
cancel any appointment.  
Rescheduling Canceled 
Appointments
It is done for patients who had missed their 
appointment or had to cancel them due to any 
reasons. They are generally accommodated in 
canceled slots or taken up before a new 
appointment is made.
Emergency 
Appointments
These are arranged for patients who need to see 
the physician urgently. They are generally made on 
request subject to availability of the physician and 
depending on the signs and symptoms that 
constitute an emergency situation.
Appointment scheduling is an important part of the marketing plan 
for practices as it keeps the flow of patients on. It avoids confusion and 
lowers the waiting time for patients which helps a practice to get new 
patients and retain the old ones.
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