I can appreciate that as a problem. I, on the other hand, don't sweat it at all. Please don't think that makes me a bad doctor. I know one doctor who is so well liked by his patients, they have no issue waiting two hours (literally) for a five minute appointment. Granted, that would leave me patient-less.
The doctor I lease from is extremely wise. He is constantly telling me that he and I offer a certain brand of medicine and if the patients like that brand, they will come.
If a person wants to eat dinner in five minutes, they go to McDonald's where the expectation is a meal on your tray in under five minutes. If they want a very good meal, they go to a restaurant where the expectation of a three course meal is over an hour, and the will be waiting for a table even if their reservation is at 7 pm, and they are seated at 7:30 pm.
I think that most reasonable patients (and by most I meal over 90%) know that you will be running behind, and I think my patients know I will be on time at 1 pm until 3 pm and then up to an hour behind from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm.
Having them show up at 3:30 pm for a 4:00 pm appointment only makes them think they have waited over an hour and a half for a 15 minute appointment.
My advice is not to sweat it, and if a patient transfers, then so be it. They will be unhappy with the doctor who gets them in the room in under ten minutes. They will sit there wondering why you couldn't do the same until the doctor spends five minutes with them and then dismisses all other questions.
