Note on: Optimal choice for appointment scheduling window under patient no-show behavior

TL;DR

This paper corrects an earlier study on optimal appointment scheduling windows by addressing errors in the no-show probability model, improving the accuracy of scheduling strategies considering patient behavior.

Contribution

It identifies and corrects an error in the no-show function used in prior queuing models for appointment scheduling.

Findings

Corrected the no-show function used in scheduling models

Enhanced the accuracy of appointment window determination

Provided revised modeling approach for better scheduling decisions

Abstract

In a recently published article, Liu (2016) used M/M/1/K and M/D/1/K queuing models to determine the optimal window for patient appointment scheduling considering clinic environ- mental factors such as panel size, provider service rate, and delay-dependent no-show probability. In this note, we show that the application of one of the no-show functions was incorrect. The required corrections are proposed.