"The Doctor Will See You Today" - Lisa Esposito

Appointment wait times are on the rise. Patients wait an average of 24 days for a new physician appointment in major metropolitan areas. However, some medical practices now offer same-day appointments on request. About a year ago, Mount Sinai Health System began offering same-day appointments across a wide range of specialties. "We recognize in this day and age of health care or any other field, there are many people who want service when they want it, and often it's on that day," said Abraham L. Warshaw, MD, associate professor of population health science and policy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, chief and medical director of access services, and senior vice president of the Mount Sinai Health System. Same-day care means more than just squeezing in acutely ill patients, Dr. Warshaw emphasizes. The approach encompasses a wide range of needs, from patients concerned about ongoing headaches to those newly diagnosed with a frightening condition, like cancer, in search of a second opinion. "We're able to look into the schedules of a lot of our doctors and make use of a broad capacity that the health system has throughout the city and surrounding areas," Dr. Warshaw said. Same-day appointments may encourage reluctant patients to seize the moment, he suggested: "We've been pleasantly surprised by the people who say, 'Today is the day I finally want to see a primary care provider. I want to move my health care along.'"

• Abraham L. Warshaw, MD, Associate Professor, Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Chief, Medical Director, Access Services, Senior Vice President, Mount Sinai Health System

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