Strategies and Tips to Increase Patient Satisfaction

Scheduling best practices to improve access to routine and urgent care might include:

• Considering online scheduling, or scheduling routine appointments well in advance, e.g., 12 months
• Informing patients of expected wait times during check-in and keeping them informed when there is a delay
• Communicating delays apologetically and offering to reschedule if necessary
• Considering open access scheduling; reserve a portion of each day for urgent care or follow-up care
• Working with additional providers for urgent and after-hour appointments and availability if needed
• Exploring partnering with 24-hour urgent care or walk-in clinics

For more tips, see Understanding How Patients Perceive Access to Care.