“In 2018, 40% of US physicians cater to about 17 to 24 patients a day, while 1.3% percent of them saw 51 to 60 patients daily—a potential cause of burnout among health professionals.” (Source: Statista)

“In the same year, statistics showed that 33% of American doctors spend about 17 to 24 minutes per session with a patient, causing a strain on their schedule.” (Source: Statista)

26+ Sample Doctor Appointment Letter Templates

What Is a Doctor Appointment Letter?

A doctor’s appointment letter is exactly what its name suggests—it’s a letter addressed to a patient by a doctor, a doctor’s representative, or a medical establishment confirming a patient’s appointment with a said medical professional. However, this doesn’t limit the use of this document on that single function. A patient can also send an appointment letter to a hospital to see if a particular doctor is available for consultation. It can also be used as a reminder to a patient of an upcoming appointment or to inform them about missing one. It covers any matter involving a patient-doctor appointment.

In the age where a simple text and call have overshadowed well-structured and full-length letters, why are letters still relevant when organizing appointments? In general, writing business letters might demand more effort, but they serve a ton of purposes. Even when there are faster and more convenient means, business letters are beneficial as they allow for the transfer of more accurate data because they’re composed deliberately instead of a quick message sending. They’re formal, and they can be stored for reliable record keeping. Surely, a few word count won’t matter when dealing with important matters on health services.

Because doctor appointment letters are multi-purpose, they’re a valuable communication tool between patients and their doctor’s office. It’s a good way not only to build rapport but also to establish a relationship. This is essential, especially if you’re seeing a specialist because several appointments have to be made. Strengthening your ties with a health professional is important for a reason as clear as the sun: your health matters. Whether you’re a patient or someone from the doctor’s office and you’re writing an appointment letter, here are some details that you might need to include:

1. Patient’s details

2. Doctor’s name

3. Appointment schedule (include a previous schedule if the letter is for a missed appointment or you want to request for a reschedule)

4. Brief description of your letter’s purpose (the reason for the appointment, reasons for rescheduling or missing the check-up, etc.)

5. Needed documents

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Why You Should Come Knocking at Your Physician’s Office

According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 84.3% percent of adults and 93.6% of children contacted a health professional in 2018. This comes with no surprise because the United States dote on healthcare more than any other country worldwide. Given their emphasis on a more favorable health care system and insurances, health is clearly a top priority.

A lot of people fear a doctor’s visit because a single laboratory test records and procedures could result in anemia, high sugar level, or something threatening, such as the “Big C.” They think knowledge is scary because you’re only healthy until you know you’re not. If you’re a healthy adult, professionals recommend hospital appointments or stopping by for a quick routine check once in one to two years. That frequency goes up if you have health conditions that need a follow-up. Here are some reasons why you should see a doctor even when you’re as fit as a marathoner:

Keep Your Digits Under Control This doesn’t relate to your account but rather to your baseline numbers, such as your blood counts and cholesterol levels. As you age, there are appropriate levels that need to be maintained to gain a healthy physique, in and out. When you go for a regular check-up, it’s easy to compare the previous and current list of results and be advised on what to do and what to avoid to keep your baseline numbers at an optimum level.Value Prevention While some diseases are caused by genetic influence, most health concerns stem from your lifestyle practices and daily habits. When you refuse to undergo medical appointments unless something “major” comes along, the latter would be the result of an undetected issue build-up that could’ve been prevented by a few clinic checks. One of the doctor’s main goal is to keep you off a broken bridge by attending to every part that needs fixing.Maintain a Consistent Record Keeping a record of your medical results, even when they seem uneventful (i.e., no major health concern has occurred), helps your future current and future check-up to keep a tracking chart of your progress. So when something does happen in the long run, your doctor can easily refer to your records and gain a better insight on how to manage your condition.Build Strong Physician Relations Have you tried talking to a complete stranger about a delicate topic? It’s uncomfortable, and you’ll end p giving subtle and general remarks instead of providing every detail. That’s how it will be when you have no constant rapport with a physician. Your health has a huge impact on your life, and you need to be in contact with someone who has the expertise to keep it in stellar condition.

Other Relevant Medical Documents

Any person would want to have the best healthcare experience. While practicing beneficial habits and keeping a calendar of regular check-ups. However, it’s also right to keep a complete file of your medical documents to help your doctor evaluate your current condition by relating it to your previous records and coming up with the best cure option if there’s a need to do so. Here’s a list of medical documents that you should know:

1. Medical Record – includes a historical summary of your previous consultations and diagnosis.

2. Discharge Summary – a document given to a patient after a hospital stay containing an overview of why the patient was admitted and his or her condition afterward, as well as some sample brief professional advice.

3. Mental Examinations – the complete result of a mental exam.

4. Operative Report – this a detailed account of a patient’s operation or surgical procedure.

How to Make a Doctor Appointment Letter

When you attempt to make an appointment or set a meeting with a doctor that you like, an appointment letter is an excellent first step to take. But how do you know you’re writing the right letter content? Read the guidelines below:

Step 1: Directly State Your Purpose

When you write a doctor’s appointment letter, you must know firsthand what message you want to send and hit it right on. There’s no need for a quick detour or a short introductory statement. The first part of your letter should directly address the purpose of why you’re writing the letter in the first place. As a patient, do you want to gather information about a doctor’s schedule, or are you informing your doctor’s office of your absence during the said schedule? If you’re the doctor or someone from the doctor’s office, are you writing regarding a rescheduling matter, or do you want to move the appointment at a later time or date? Being direct with your motive makes it easier for whoever will receive your letter to assess it.

Step 2: Include All the Necessary Details

Because it concerns an appointment, it’s no surprise that your letter should include an accurate account of the time and date, including the specification of the venue. In its way, an appointment letter is an informative notice because it contains all the relevant details regarding an appointment. However, the schedule and the location isn’t all there is when making it. On some occasions, a clinic may ask you to bring in your test results or any medical records when you show up for your appointment. That’s a piece of detail that needs to go on the letter content. Some hospitals would require you to have insurance, so you might want to mention that on your document as well briefly.

Step 3: Don’t Blabber About Your Condition

Your letter is not an extension of your doctor’s office, so keep your medical rants until your appointment. Provide only a brief overview of your condition in the letter, so your doctor will know what to expect when you visit. However, don’t begin narrating your condition in lengthy details. You’re only asking for an appointment, and including your medical history isn’t the right avenue for it. In most cases, a medical representative or an assistant will be the one to go through the letters and jot it down on a printable calendar. The doctor will only be able to know about your case the moment you come in.

Step 4: Keep It Brief and Focused

It doesn’t have to be long, nor should it be. Center your formal letter around the purpose and its corresponding details and be done with. A better way to keep it focused and brief is to list down every detail you need to make the letter. This includes the schedule and the venue, doctor’s name, documents required, and patient details, among others. Once you’ve completed the list, convert them into a letter, starting your introduction by stating your purpose. The key is to be objective and to keep only what’s necessary.

Step 5: Format Accordingly

It’s important that your letter looks professional and well-formatted, especially if you’re a doctor or if it’s coming from a clinic or a doctor’s office. An appointment letter is a business letter. While it’s not good to associate health care service as a “business”, it works the same way when you’re meeting with a client. And in business, documents are not just documents. They represent your brand’s image. Follow proper formatting and use your establishment’s official company letterhead. More than raising the aesthetic of your document, they represent your brand’s integrity and value.

FAQs

What time is ideal for making a doctor’s appointment?

When you’re debating what time to put on your doctor’s appointment, the best time should be in the morning or the hour after lunch, because doctors could get swamped or too tired to hear you in the afternoon and scheduling close to the evening might be a busy time.

How many hours before the appointment is it reasonable to make a cancellation?

Canceling a doctor’s appointment abruptly might cost some charges. You can call and cancel a day or two before the actual date with a valid reason.

Can you use your doctor appointment letter to get out of work?

It can work, as long as it’s intended for that purpose. As an example, your workplace policy may demand documentation that you indeed visited a doctor. You can ask your physician for an appointment letter that attests that you have indeed visited your doctor.

Occasional health appointments may seem like a disruption of your work-home routine. However, it is good to remember that health problems may end up taking everything from you. When you’re determined to maintain a good life, include your health in the process. You’ll be rewarded with a good night’s sleep and consciousness that knows you’re definitely leading not just a good life but a healthy one as well.