P2 Management Minute: Reducing patient wait times

Hey there folks, my name is Keith Reynolds, I’m the editor of Physicians Practice and for today’s P2 Management Minute we’re focusing on how to reduce patient wait times:

First, implement a virtual waiting room. This became popular during the pandemic. Letting patients check in from their phones and wait in the car, or anywhere they feel safe, until you text them to come inside will cut lobby congestion and boost patient comfort without adding staff.

Next, switch to electronic intake forms. When patients complete forms at home or on a mobile device, you slash paperwork, reduce data-entry errors and speed up the front-desk hand-off; all while giving staff time back for higher-value tasks.

Finally, optimize your appointment templates. Analyze peak hours, stagger start times and build in buffer slots. The result? A steadier patient flow, fewer bottlenecks and happier physicians and patients alike.

Put these three tweaks in play and watch efficiency soar. For more practice-savvy tips, visit PhysiciansPractice.com. See you next time!

About the P2 Management Minute

The P2 Management Minute is a fast-paced video micro-series from Physicians Practice that distills proven management strategies into bite-size, one-minute episodes for busy medical practice administrators and lead physicians. Each installment spotlights high-impact tactics—drawn from real-world best practices and expert insights—that administrators can apply the same day to boost efficiency, strengthen patient satisfaction, or elevate staff engagement. No theory, no fluff; just concise, actionable guidance that respects tight schedules and delivers measurable results between appointments.

Record your own!

Interested in stepping in front of the camera to share a quick tip of your own, or have a suggestion for a topic we should spotlight in an upcoming P² Management Minute? We’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a proven strategy for streamlining workflows, a clever morale-booster, or a hard-won lesson on patient engagement, your insight could help peers across the country elevate their practices in just 60 seconds. Drop Keith a note at kreynolds@mjhlifesciences.com with your idea—or, better yet, a brief outline or smartphone video sample—and we’ll walk you through the simple submission process. Let’s collaborate to make every minute count for the medical community.

Keith A. Reynolds is the editor of Physicians Practice and wants to know what practice issues are keeping you up at night. You can let him know at kreynolds@mjhlifesciences.com.