Six Sigma Training teaches the principles of change management, and provides an entire arsenal of tools to be used for a variety of companies and industries around the world. Most people that use Six Sigma Methodology do so to increase profits and returns on investments (ROI). However, there are many more benefits to be found through the use of Six Sigma, including everything from improved customer satisfaction to improved business practices and time management. When it comes to working in a doctor’s office, Six Sigma Training can provide many tools to help create shorter wait times, better patient flow, and even a better management of resources that will help cut costs.

For example, imagine that there is a doctor’s office that sees 35 patients a day. Given that the office hours are 8 to 5, that is 9 hours of time in which to see these patients. That means that the office must get through roughly 4 patients an hour, giving each one about 15 minutes of the doctor’s time. The first thing to notice here is that the scheduling might seem overbooked, and that they should scale back their appointments made every day. However, you can’t control how many people are ill on any particular day, which is why you must make the most of every second.

Six Sigma could analyze the current trends of wait times, both in the waiting room and the exam room, to help create an idea of where processes are slowing down or which problems need to be addressed. It could also help to devise a schedule involving the use of a physician’s assistant for minor issues such as colds and infections that simply need a once-over and some antibiotics. Six Sigma analysis shows that about 10 patients come in with minor care issues, which leaves 25 patients for the doctor to see in a day, which provides a much more reasonable schedule. The doctor can now see 2-3 patients an hour and spend more time with the ones that need the care the most, while the physician’s assistant handles minor issues that don’t need the doctor’s time or attention.

Some people are not satisfied with seeing a PA when they visit the doctor, but in the effort to streamline patient care and provide services to all who need them, it may be the only solution. Six Sigma Training can easily create a more manageable and productive environment for everyone involved in a doctor’s office, including the patients.