Description

Why wait for patients to call and schedule their next appointment when you could have them on the calendar before they even leave your office?

In this episode of The Optometry Success Podcast, we discuss why pre-appointing should be the foundation of your practice's scheduling process, and why relying on traditional recall systems can leave patients falling through the cracks.

Dr. Fleming shares how his practice approaches pre-appointing, why the conversation should begin with the doctor in the exam room, and how to handle patients who hesitate to schedule a year or two in advance. We also explore how proactive scheduling supports better continuity of care, stronger patient relationships, and a more predictable practice schedule.

While recall can serve as a safety net for missed or canceled appointments, it shouldn't be your primary strategy. The goal isn't simply to fill your schedule. It's to make ongoing eye care a priority for your patients.

NBS (Next Best Step): Make pre-appointing your standard operating procedure. Develop a consistent script that communicates why and when patients should return, have the doctor introduce that expectation during the exam, and ensure your team schedules the next appointment before the patient leaves.

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