A Physician Schedule Template Delivers Key Advantages

When those responsible for scheduling physicians use manual processes or spreadsheets, they can feel as though they’re endlessly reinventing the wheel. In contrast, scheduling software provides a physician schedule template that streamlines processes and improves accuracy.

What is a Physician Schedule Template?

A physician schedule template is a tool that outlines a set of shifts that repeats each scheduling cycle. For example, for a clinic, a physician schedule template may have 12 internal medicine shifts on Mondays and Fridays, 10 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and none on weekends. The scheduler can slot physicians into each of those shifts without having to recreate the time blocks each week or month. Similarly, if the clinic has nurse practitioners and physician assistants, the scheduler can use a template to slot in those providers as well.

For a hospital scheduler, a schedule template may consist of shifts across weekdays, weekday nights, weekend days, and weekend nights. Certain specialties may need to be slotted in for some shifts but not others, while other specialties may need round-the-clock coverage. For example, dermatology may need full coverage on weekdays and on-call coverage on nights and weekends. In contrast, hospitalists may be needed 24 hours a day, with more physicians scheduled during daytime shifts and fewer on overnights.

Advantages of a Physician Schedule Template

A physician schedule template delivers a number of advantages, including:

Saving Time: A template means that the scheduler doesn’t have to start from scratch every scheduling cycle. Instead, they have all the necessary slots ready and can quickly enter the provider’s name. This can cut scheduling time in half.

Calculating Shifts: A template provides administrators with at-a-glance information about providers, shifts, and locations. This supports scheduling equity and helps prevent duplicate payments to providers.

Improving Physician Satisfaction: With a template, physicians more quickly know when they’re scheduled, allowing them to make plans for times when they’re not working. This supports work-life balance and contributes to physician satisfaction.

Physician Schedule Template & Scheduling Software

A template is a key feature of scheduling software. The template eliminates several manual steps for schedulers and provides visibility into the scheduling process. Unlike schedules that are created and then distributed, scheduling software acts as a single source of truth, providing physicians with up-to-the-minute scheduling information in real time.

MDsyncNET’s cloud-based physician assistant schedule software delivers four advantages: low set-up fees, simple to learn, a single source of truth, and painless scheduling swaps. Call 888-506-5061 to see how MDsyncNET can help you integrate physician schedule templates into your processes.