How many times do you attempt to contact the patient to schedule the referral?

In the context of scheduling referrals, it is standard practice to attempt contacting a patient multiple times to ensure that they receive the opportunity to schedule their appointment. Making three attempts shows a commitment to reaching the patient and is generally considered a reasonable balance between persistence and respect for their availability. This approach recognizes that patients may have varying schedules and might not respond to the first or even the second attempt due to different reasons, such as not being available to answer the call or missing the message. Adequately following up ensures better patient engagement and increases the likelihood of the referral being scheduled successfully.

While fewer attempts, such as one or two, may not provide enough opportunity for the patient to respond, making four attempts may start to feel excessive and could risk frustrating the patient rather than encouraging them to act on the referral. Therefore, three attempts is an effective method to maximize the chances of a successful scheduling outcome while still being mindful of the patient's time and circumstances.