Welcome back to Tip of the Week, where we’re discussing all the ways you can introduce schedule flexibility into your practice. See my previous tips on compressing your schedule without losing patients and leveraging your practice's scheduling flexibility as a hiring advantage.
This week, we’re back with batching appointment types for efficiency and reviewing specialized testing that can be done on non-doctor time.
Group Similar Appointments Together
Jumping between different types of exams can slow you down. Instead, consider batching similar appointments. For example, scheduling all specialty contact lens fits in the morning or dedicating a block of time in the afternoon for pediatric exams can improve efficiency because it allows you to get into a rhythm, streamline patient flow, and reduce time spent switching gears between different types of care.
Grouping appointments also benefits your team—your techs can set up equipment accordingly, and your opticians can anticipate specific patient needs in advance.
Maximize Non-doctor Time for Specialized Testing
Your time in the exam room is valuable. If your schedule is packed, consider having patients come in during non-doctor hours for specialized testing, such as OCT scans, visual fields, or topography. These tests can be performed by trained staff members to free you up for more in-depth patient interactions when you are in the office. The best part is that testing can still be billed so you can maximize your revenue production.
This strategy not only enhances efficiency but also ensures that patients don’t have to wait weeks for an appointment slot simply because your schedule is full.
Look out for next week’s issue where we’ll wrap up our month of scheduling flexibility tips. Spoiler: Your practice doesn’t have to be open on weekends.
