feature // practice management
by Ken Alexander
Most practices have heard of doctor time scheduling,
and most computer systems can easily pre-code each day to
allow for the templates to juggle doctor time for maximum
efficiency. But the difference between a schedule where the
practice survives each day and one that is a top-notch orthodontic scheduling system, is as stark as night and day in
results and efficiency.
Over my career I have worked to popularize the concept of
doctor time scheduling that is used in a majority of orthodontic offices. The concept is simple: plan out an entire day for all
necessary procedures with the doctor time built into them and
make sure that the doctor is not needed at more than one place
at one time. Certainly this is easier said than done.
Removing the Obstacles
Often creating the template is the easiest part of the
equation, but doctors often fail to identify the obstacles that
stand in the way of their success and then create solutions
around them. The following are some common obstacles
that, without resolution, may kill your well-meaning
attempts to move to the next level of efficiency and growth
with doctor time scheduling.
continued on page 28
orthotown.com \\ DECEMBER 2013
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown December 2013