How to Manage Appointments with Success

By Deborah O’Connor

We all have appointments to deal with. Being busy professionals, scheduling doctor and dentist appointments for ourselves and our families can be a challenge. We have little time as it is and having to wait or put up with rude behavior can make things a real challenge. Here are some tips to help us and hopefully the receptionists, nurses, hygienists, and doctors will read it as well.

• When calling an office to schedule an appointment have your calendar in front of you. Tell the person you are working with that you will be taking time off work to make this appointment and would appreciate it if you do not have to wait. Ask for the first appointment of the day or the first appointment after lunch. These times almost guarantee no waiting.
• Be there 10 minutes early to fill out paperwork or charts. Inform the receptionist that you have to be to be back at work and would appreciate prompt service. Say all of this in a pleasant and kind way so as not to appear threatening.
• If a doctor’s office keeps you waiting more than 15 minutes, inform the receptionist that you will be in trouble at work and you need to be seen as soon as possible
• When you call for an appointment and need to see the doctor that day, they will usually try to fit you in if you are a patient. Ask them to let you know if there is a cancellation and to call you immediately. Be prepared to go right away.
• When you do call a doctor for an appointment and need to get in right away, there are usually a few ways you can go. You can make an appointment to see a doctor that day if there is some urgency, or you can deal with the nurse practitioner. This choice often works if you are a current patient and they have your history. Oftentimes, they can call in a prescription for you, saving you time and trouble.
• When taking children to an appointment, try to do this after school. If you must go during the workday, again inform the receptionist that you need to get back to work as soon as possible.
• When you have to cancel an appointment, do not wait until the last minute unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Their time is valuable too. And be sure to call as opposed to emailing or texting. If no one answers, leave a message and follow-up with a text and/or email.
• Arriving late for any appointment is rude. It means you do not respect the other person’s time and that you think you are more important than they are. If being late is unavoidable (a sick child, a genuine emergency, etc.,) call to explain the situation and ask if they would rather reschedule.

As usual, follow the Golden Rule. Treat others as you wish to be treated and you will usually do the right thing.

Please feel free to send questions to Deborah at: www.successfulimage.biz.

She will answer them in her weekly column.

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:  [email protected]       www.successfulimage.biz