Final answer:
Wave scheduling assigns specific appointments in the first half of the hour, leaving the latter part open for walk-ins, balancing scheduled and unscheduled visits.
Step-by-step explanation:
In wave scheduling, patients are given a specific appointment time for the first half of the hour, and the second half of the hour is left open for walk-in patients. This method is a blend of a fixed scheduling system and a walk-in system, aiming to balance the predictability of scheduled appointments with the flexibility required to handle walk-in patients or emergencies.
Wave scheduling may help to improve practice efficiency by reducing idle time for healthcare providers, but it does require careful management to avoid long wait times and patient dissatisfaction.