How to cite: Baum, Neil H. “Managing the Chronically Late Patient.” June 2022. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/managing-the-chronically-late-patient/
Managing the Chronically Late Patient – Summary
Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses techniques for managing chronically late patients. He explains that every practice has a problem with late patients, and it is an issue which can wreak havoc with a practice’s schedule, impact productivity, cause stress to the physician and their staff, and negatively affect other patients who are on time. Dr. Baum recommends creating a written policy regarding lateness, advising patients to arrive early to complete paperwork, and explaining the impact of lateness on the physician and staff. He also suggests seeing chronically late patients at the end of the day. Dr. Baum notes that physicians and staff should listen to the reason for the delay, and give some “slack” to patients who typically are punctual. He observes that doctors must set a good example and make a commitment to being on time themselves. Dr. Baum advises against trying to solve the problem by overbooking, since that can result in significant delays in seeing patients. He also notes that charging patients who are late is difficult and rarely works. Dr. Baum discusses the rare process of discharging a chronically late patient, explaining that the physician must allow the patient several weeks to find another doctor. He concludes that medical practices cannot tolerate chronically late patients and must develop and implement a policy regarding lateness.
For more commentary on practice management from Dr. Baum, visit his Improving Your Urology Practice page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Baum serves as the Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications Group. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics. Dr. Baum is also the medical advisor to Vanguard Communications Group.
