What does double booking refer to in a medical office?

Double booking refers specifically to the practice of scheduling two patients for the same appointment time with a physician. This approach is often used to maximize the efficiency of the schedule, particularly if a physician experiences cancellations or no-shows. However, it can lead to longer wait times for patients, as both individuals are expected to be seen simultaneously.

By focusing on double booking, it becomes clear that this term is distinctly different from overbooking, where the physician schedules more patients than available slots in anticipation of some not showing up. Additionally, scheduling patients at different locations does not align with the definition since it pertains to appointments occurring concurrently in the same practice. Lastly, scheduling follow-up visits exclusively does not pertain to double booking, as it implies a separate, context-specific practice.