What does double booking mean in a medical office?

Double booking in a medical office refers specifically to the situation where two patients are scheduled for appointments with the same physician at the same time. This practice can arise in busy offices to accommodate high demand or because of scheduling errors. Although double booking can help to manage limited appointment slots, it can also lead to overcrowding in the office and possibly extended wait times for patients, as the physician may be required to divide their attention between two patients simultaneously.

The concept of double booking is not associated with booking multiple appointment types at the same time, scheduling patients in groups, or setting times exclusively for follow-ups, as these situations each involve different appointment management strategies.