Booking
Configuring Appointments for Your Practice
Appointment Configuration Examples
Every practice is different. This guide shows common appointment configurations and how to set them up in Chimera.
Dental Practice
A typical dental office might configure:
| Type | Duration | Mode | Time Restriction | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Patient Exam | 60 min | In-person | None | All |
| Cleaning | 30 min | In-person | Mon-Thu mornings | Hygienists only |
| Emergency Visit | 30 min | In-person | None (2hr min advance) | Dentists only |
| Cosmetic Consult | 45 min | In-person | Tue/Thu afternoons | Dr. Smith only |
| Post-Op Check | 15 min | Phone | None | All |
Key setup steps:
- Create each type in Settings > Appointment Types
- Set Cleaning time restrictions: Mon 8am-12pm, Tue 8am-12pm, Wed 8am-12pm, Thu 8am-12pm
- On the Emergency Visit type, keep no time restrictions but set the provider’s min advance hours to 2 for same-day access
- Assign Cosmetic Consult to only Dr. Smith via Provider > Appointment Types
Medical Clinic
A general practice or specialist office:
| Type | Duration | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Physical | 45 min | In-person | New patient intake form attached |
| Sick Visit | 20 min | In-person | Low min advance hours (4hr) |
| Follow-up | 15 min | In-person or Phone | Two separate types, one for each mode |
| Telehealth Visit | 30 min | Video | Requires Zoom connected |
| Lab Review | 15 min | Phone | Phone-only, no in-person |
Key setup steps:
- Create a “New Patient” intake form with medical history questions
- Assign the intake form to Annual Physical only
- Create separate Follow-up (In-Person) and Follow-up (Phone) types for different modes
- Connect Zoom before creating the Telehealth Visit type so links auto-generate
Therapy / Counseling
| Type | Duration | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Assessment | 90 min | In-person | Intake form with screening questions |
| Individual Session | 50 min | In-person | All therapists |
| Virtual Session | 50 min | Video | Same as in-person, but via Zoom |
| Couples Session | 80 min | In-person | Specific providers only |
| Group Session | 90 min | In-person | Restricted to specific days |
Tips for Any Practice
Use Modes Intentionally
- In-person (teal badge): patient must come to the clinic
- Phone (yellow badge): provider calls the patient
- Video (purple badge): auto-generates Zoom link if connected
Patients see these badges when selecting an appointment type, so the mode helps set expectations.
Set Provider Assignments Thoughtfully
When only certain providers offer a type:
- Go to Providers
- Expand the provider
- Under Appointment Types, select only the types they offer
- Leave the list empty if a provider offers everything
Combine Time Restrictions with Provider Assignments
For maximum control, use both features together. Example: cleanings restricted to mornings, and only offered by hygienists. This means the booking engine will only show morning slots with hygienist providers for that type.
Keep Names Patient-Friendly
Patients see these names on the booking page. Prefer clear, simple labels:
- “Cleaning” over “Prophylaxis”
- “New Patient Exam” over “Comprehensive Oral Evaluation D0150”
- “Virtual Visit” over “Synchronous Telehealth Encounter”
Tip: Start with fewer types and add more as needed. Too many options on the booking page can overwhelm patients. Five to eight types is a good starting range.