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You Don't Have Anything Sooner?

"You don't have anything sooner?"
Well, we do, but we just thought we would save those appointments for special people. Don't you think if we had something available we would offer it to you? It wouldn't make much sense to just pick random times or to not fill up the schedule as we go. 

It is amazing how often we get this question. And my favorite is when it is someone who cancel's their appointment and wants to reschedule. And then they are surprised that our schedule is already booked up. They made their original appointment 6 months ago, yet they think if they reschedule they can still get in that week. No. Sorry, we are booked up. And if your child is behind on immunizations because you had to cancel your appointment and reschedule, that is not our fault. If you want them to get immunizations on time....KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT!

Another time this question is really fun is when someone makes a same day appointment and we offer something 2 hours from the time they call and they expect something sooner. We aren't a walk-in clinic. There is a reason we schedule appointments. And it's not like we are just sitting here waiting for someone to call so they can just come at their convenience. 

When someone calls to schedule an appointment, do they really think the doctor doesn't have other patients on the schedule? So many times I feel like people expect us to have appointment slots open at whatever time THEY want to see the doctor. And it is amazing how upset people can get when the available times don't work for their schedule. I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were going out of town at noon and all we have open is after 12:30. Oh, pardon me, I didn't save a spot for your child that is before their nap time.

Some tips and pointers when scheduling an appointment:
1. You are being put on the doctor's schedule, not yours.
2. You are not the only one on the schedule.
3. If you reschedule, you deal with what is available, you're the one that is cancelling.
4. If you are calling for an appointment, it's exactly that, an appointment, not a walk-in clinic.
5. Please be courteous to the receptionist, she's doing the best she can to accommodate you.

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