What does the term "overbooking" mean in the scheduling context?

In the context of scheduling, "overbooking" refers to the practice of scheduling more patients than the available time slots can accommodate. This strategy is often employed to compensate for the likelihood that a certain percentage of patients may not show up for their appointments (a common occurrence known as a "no-show"). By booking additional appointments, healthcare providers aim to maximize their efficiency and ensure that their time is utilized effectively, ultimately decreasing the likelihood of wasted time caused by empty slots.

This approach does carry risks, such as potential patient dissatisfaction if patients experience longer wait times or if they are unable to be seen at their scheduled times due to the high volume of appointments. However, when managed correctly, overbooking can lead to improved financial viability for the practice while still providing necessary care to as many patients as possible.

In contrast, reducing appointments, scheduling frequent short visits, or allowing extra time for consultations do not align with the definition of overbooking, as they involve either limiting patient engagement or altering the time management strategies rather than intentionally increasing the number of scheduled patients beyond the available capacity.