Appointment Systems in Out-patients?? Clinics and the Effect of Patients?? Unpunctuality

Abstract

The present level of unpunctuality by patients need not prevent the use of a simple appointment scheme, giving a reasonable balance between waiting by the doctor and the patients. Waiting–times when patients art punctual or unpunctual are compared, and are shown not to differ greatly. When clinics are small or consultation–times very variable, even with punctual patients, waiting–times may be long, and the effects of these factors may exceed that due to patients' unpunctuality. It is recommended that, when possible, patients should be sorted or doctor-sessions combined, in this type of clinic.