It is nothing new- we all run late sometimes, and we all forget an appointment once in a while. But too many late appointments or no-shows may wreak havoc on productivity and revenue, something that does not occur to many patients. At Cosmopolitan Medical Communications, we work extensively with busy hospitals and medical practices to not only schedule appointments and manage on-call schedules, but to proactively remind patients of their appointments. Being proactive with your patients is a great help for them and a benefit to you. In addition to using an appointment reminder service, here are some tips you can use for gently addressing this situation promptly with your patients:
Cosmopolitan’s Top 3 Patient Etiquette Tips
1. Don’t Miss Your Appointment –
Missing an appointment is never a good thing, on both sides. You’ve caused an inconvenience for the office and don’t forget the financial toll – that fee your doctor’s office charges for a missed appointment.
On the other side, the business owner has lost valuable time, an opportunity cost that cannot be recovered. That appointment could have been used for another patient or catching up on the many things that are in need of attention at a successful practice.
2. Show Up 15 Minutes Early
Typically you are going to receive a call from the receptionist a few days before your scheduled appointment time for confirmation and details. With every appointment, new or continuing, there may be paperwork waiting for you at the front desk. These are protocol; updated insurance forms, patient forms, etc…
Giving yourself 15 minutes before your scheduled time will allow you to check in and update any forms necessary before being called back to your room.
3. Be Polite
It’s very important to find a trusting doctor who is genuine and friendly, someone who can talk to you like a patient but treat you like a friend. You may be spending a lot of time with your doctor and the staff, so being considerate and prepared will help build a trusting relationship. They are there to help you and make you feel comfortable, not to intimidate you. The goal is to form a relationship with your doctor as a trusted adviser over time- if you feel this isn’t happening, it is perfectly acceptable to bring it up during your appointment.
Cosmopolitan offers everything you need to keep your operation running smoothly. We know how important your patients are to you, which is why we guarantee sincere, talented, and knowledgeable service providers.
Call us with any questions about our services! 1-800-900-0101
