For many pets, the waiting room is the most stressful part of a vet visit, and an anxious pet makes for a harder exam. These six changes make waiting easier for animals, their owners and your team.
The simplest change is to keep animals out of the lobby until an exam room is ready. Clients check in from their phone when they arrive and get a text when it’s time to come in.
Owners worry less when they can see how many people are ahead of them. A live position on their phone, or on a screen in reception, also cuts down on “how much longer?” questions at the desk.
If some clients do wait inside, give cats a separate area or let cat owners wait in their car by default. Even a few metres of distance from barking dogs helps.
Reminders help clients arrive on time with what they need, and cut down on missed appointments. A short message the day before and on the day is usually enough.
When clients can see open time slots and book online, fewer of them walk in hoping to be squeezed in, and fewer call the front desk to book, which frees your team for the clients in front of them. With bookings listed day by day, you can also see busy days coming and plan staff for them. Keep walk-in spots for urgent cases.
Tell clients on your website, in booking confirmations and on a sign at the door how waiting works at your clinic: where to park, how to check in and when to come inside. Clear instructions mean fewer people crowding the lobby “just in case”.
QMyTurn brings these together: QR check-in from the car, a live place in line, text messages when it’s the client’s turn, online booking with open time slots, a day-by-day view of upcoming appointments, one-click reminders for today’s and tomorrow’s appointments, and an optional reception screen. See QMyTurn for veterinary clinics.