Got a simple solution - refer them to me! I'll happily take any patients that you find so terribly inconsiderate as to think of you first when they're extremely busy.
KVDP- I don't it terribly incosiderate, as you put it. I think its just manners, people shouldn't leave it to the last minute to book its the same with cancelling appointments. Something which you clearly don't have. Of course it can't always be help and I tell my clients that its a first come first served i like to know 48 hrs in advance, so i don't book anything else in. I work full time so I work my therapy around that, so I need to know so I don't book things for myself in such as shopping, housework, appointments etc. As previously said, I do have a life too.
KVDP- I don't it terribly incosiderate, as you put it. I think its just manners, people shouldn't leave it to the last minute to book its the same with cancelling appointments. Something which you clearly don't have. Of course it can't always be help and I tell my clients that its a first come first served i like to know 48 hrs in advance, so i don't book anything else in. I work full time so I work my therapy around that, so I need to know so I don't book things for myself in such as shopping, housework, appointments etc. As previously said, I do have a life too.
Well, lots of things occur to me from that. I presume it's clear when you're available and when you're not, like any other business: if you need time for other things, then take it, don't blame your patients.
Next point is that cancelling at short notice is an entirely different matter, I agree that is a total drag. But a patient booking at the last minute is a bonus, surely? Why would you want to put obstacles in the way of somebody spending money in your business during regular hours? If you can't fit them in, then most will be reasonable about it, otherwise do you really want them in your practice?
Perhaps most importantly, scatty behaviour and unreliability is part of the person's condition. I'm not sure what field you're in, but in my view - whether we're trying to help boils, sprained ankles, or depression - disorganisation and over-pressurised lives are clues to what's stopping a person from healing, if we don't address these then we're not really healing, we're just rearranging deckchairs.
But it is also possible that something in our own condition is inviting our patients to act in a certain way. Somebody once told me we get the patients we deserve, and I believe it.
Beyond that, they're just humans, and we're in a people business, we have a choice. We must be careful what we wish for...
There's not much that bothers me about clients...
however....I am not too happy when someone makes an appointment and then reschedules (with less than 24 hrs notice) more than once. 🙁
By the third time, if they try again I don't give them another but the reception girls are nice about it by saying..."instead of booking again why not just give us a call when you know you are definitly available";)
Patchouli