Across all healthcare industries, the number one reason patient opportunity phone calls do not convert to scheduled appointments is scheduling conflicts. According to Call Box data, an average of 43.21% of unbooked appointments were attributed to calendar challenges in July 2024. Some medical industries, like optometry, face even higher rates, with 49.31% of unbooked appointments citing scheduling challenges. Dental offices, veterinary practices, and physical therapy providers also see significant impact. To combat these challenges, implement these three key solutions to reduce unbooked appointments.
One of the most effective ways to minimize scheduling conflicts is by expanding appointment availability. Practices should consider offering extended hours such as weekend slots or early morning and evening appointments. By doing so, you cater to a wider range of patients' schedules, allowing more opportunities for booking new patients. To learn what times work best for your targeted demographic, try sending a survey via text or email. This is particularly beneficial in industries like eye care and dentistry, where nearly half of all missed appointments stem from scheduling challenges. Adopting a more flexible approach helps reduce these barriers and boosts overall patient appointments.
Patients are more likely to book appointments when they have the flexibility to do so at their convenience. Implementing online booking tools can reduce scheduling conflicts, allowing patients to find openings that fit their busy schedules without having to call your office. With their work and home schedules open next to them, they can take the time to fit you into their already busy schedule more efficiently, reducing cancellations and no-shows. Practices offering online booking options with real-time availability updates can see a reduced number of unbooked and missed appointments.
When patients struggle to select an appointment time, healthcare staff should help guide them by narrowing down options. The “whittle and shepherd” technique involves offering patients two specific, A/B options rather than a wide-open schedule. This method streamlines decision-making and encourages quicker commitment, reducing the back-and-forth.
Scheduling conflicts are a major obstacle for healthcare practices, leading to a significant number of unbooked appointments. By expanding availability, leveraging online booking tools, and adopting the “whittle and shepherd” technique, your practice can create a more flexible scheduling system. With these strategies in place, you can reduce the impact of missed patient appointment opportunities, improve patient satisfaction, and keep your calendar full of new and existing patient appointments.
Ready to enhance your practice’s scheduling flexibility and overcome other major appointment booking roadblocks? Check out Call Box’s full healthcare industry report HERE.