10 ways to be an on-time physician

“Timeliness is next to Godliness,” a modified Biblical proverb

American healthcare is in disarray and in dire need of repair. Nearly every healthcare worker agrees that there is uncertainty about the future of healthcare in America. Medicare cuts are looming in our future, and private payors are likely to follow the lead of Medicare and decrease reimbursements. This is compounded by rising costs of overhead expenses. The result is that doctors are being squeezed, and their incomes may decrease. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are opportunities for doctors to become more productive, to see more patients, and to avoid the erosion of their incomes. Many of these ideas can easily be implemented in any office, with minimal or no expenses and without adding additional staff. This article will review ten suggestions that have been tested in my and other practices and may help make us more efficient, more productive, and, yes, more profitable.

Bottom Line: Being on time for patient appointments is crucial for establishing trust, maintaining efficiency, and promoting a positive patient experience. Seeing patients on time is an effective marketing strategy. Patients expect to be seen on time by the dentist, the stockbroker, the lawyer, the hairdresser, and their physician. Suppose you develop the reputation of being an on-time physician. In that case, you will have a more enjoyable practice, less stress, less risk for burnout, and even arrive home in time for dinner.

Neil Baum, MD, a Professor of Clinical Urology at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Baum is the author of several books, including the best-selling book, Marketing Your Medical Practice-Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which has sold over 225,000 copies and has been translated into Spanish.