Title: Schedule an appointment.
Course: Veterinary Science I (18105-I) > Section: Performing Office Functions

Scheduling an appointment should include

- obtaining essential client information (e.g., name, phone number, email address, purpose of visit, preferred method of communication)
- assessing the urgency of a situation based on presenting complaint and patient history
- consulting the appointment book or software and recording the appointment
- allocating sufficient time to care for the animal’s needs
- giving the client clear and complete information related to the appointment
- repeating the appointment information to the client at the end of the conversation to confirm accuracy.

Process/Skill Questions:

- Why is effective scheduling important to both the veterinary practice and the clients?
- How should emergencies be handled in the scheduling process?
- Why is it important to get the client’s phone number and/or email address when making an appointment?
- Why is it important to repeat the appointment information to the client when ending the conversation?
- What steps should be taken if a client shows up for an appointment on the wrong day?