Specialty Appointment Scheduling

What Works: Effective Practices for Office-based CareReferrals
Specialty Appointment Scheduling

Recommendation: An appointment with the specialist is made.

 Exemplary Practice

  • Whenever possible, the practice schedules specialty appointments for patients prior to their leaving the office
  • The patient receives hand written confirmation of the appointment time and location
  • Information will be mailed to the patient if the appointment is unable to be scheduled in the presence of the patient

Benefit: Process includes immediate appointment scheduling when possible
In practice at: CHA (all sites)


 Exemplary Practice

Treatment/office space is available with specialists several times per month for internal referrals

Benefits:
  • Promotes open dialogue between PCP and consultant
  • Ensures patients are seen in a timely manner
In practice at: Compass Medical-Whitman (PCHI), Medical Treatment Center of Saugus (NSMC)


 Effective Practice
The practice staff schedules a specialist appointment for the patient before he or she leaves the office
Benefit: Ensures that an appointment with the specialist is made
In practice at: Office of Dr. William Macomber (NSMC)


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