Post-Vacation Scheduling

A guide for health care providers to protect their time to ensure availability for patients with more urgent care needs after returning from an absence. 

The following is an example of how to protect time.
*Note: this is only one example of how to implement a post-vacation scheduling strategy. The amount of time to block off and timing for releasing appointment will vary based on clinical context. For instance, some teams/providers may need to block off more or less time based on their demand and the unique needs of their patient panel.

1.) Vacation is Scheduled 

• Block the provider’s schedule for the week(s) they will be absent.
• Block the schedule for the week following the absence.

2.) First Day of Absence

• Open the morning of the week the provider will return.

3.) First Day Provider Returns

• Open the afternoon appointments, either one day at a time or all at once

The goal of post-vacation scheduling is to preserve some capacity for urgent appointments while the provider is away to ensure these patients have appropriate access when the provider returns. 

*Note: this strategy will protect some time slots for new appointments but it’s likely there will be an increase in return appointment delay. This is a temporary access strategy for new appointment needs post vacation, not something that will create lasting access improvement in clinic