What does "double booking" mean in a scheduling context?

In a scheduling context, "double booking" refers specifically to assigning two patients to the same appointment slot. This practice can occur for various reasons, such as when a provider is overbooked or when there is an urgent need for appointments and the schedule is tight. While it may seem efficient for maximizing appointment availability, double booking can lead to confusion, longer wait times, and reduced quality care for patients, as both patients are expected to be seen at the same time.

The other options illustrate different scheduling scenarios: scheduling one patient for multiple appointments is not considered double booking but rather a straightforward scheduling practice. Allowing walk-in patients without appointments is a separate scheduling method that accommodates urgent cases without prior reservations. Lastly, scheduling patients for the same time every week indicates a recurring appointment system, which does not involve assigning multiple patients to a single time slot. Therefore, the understanding of double booking is focused on the overlap of appointments for different patients at the same time.