How many hours prior to a scheduled appointment should patients typically be reminded?

Reminding patients about their scheduled appointments 24 to 48 hours in advance is considered a best practice in medical scheduling. This timeframe allows patients to adjust their plans, confirm their attendance, or notify the office if they need to reschedule.

A reminder within 24 to 48 hours strikes a good balance; it is close enough for the information to be fresh but also allows patients enough time to make necessary arrangements. This approach can help reduce no-show rates, enhance patient compliance, and ensure a smoother workflow for healthcare providers. Reminders that are too far in advance may lead to patients forgetting about the appointment entirely, while those given too close to the appointment might not give patients sufficient time to prepare or make necessary changes.